Coming all the way from Kampala, Uganda, 18 orphaned children from 6 to 13 years old gave two energetic stage performances in Ipoh at the Red Crescent Hall, as part of the choir’s tour of Asia, named “Beautiful Africa: A New Generation”.
The children’s choir, the 67th group since its inception in 1994, goes on tours all over the world, including performing at the White House and Buckingham Palace, to build awareness of God’s concern in Africa and to raise funds for the thousands of other children cared for at Watoto children’s villages, through a holistic care programme. It was initiated as a response to the overwhelming number of orphaned and vulnerable children and women in Uganda.
On the road since September 2014, Malaysia is the choir’s third country after Hong Kong and South Korea, staging a total of 120 shows before returning home in February 2015. These tours were also an opportunity for the children to build self-confidence and strengthen discipline.
In Ipoh, where the concerts were organised by Glory Creative Team, the children dressed in colourful African costumes, sang gospel songs and danced to uplifting music, all to convey the message of love and hope.
Through music and dance, which was a fusion of contemporary gospel and traditional African rhythm, the children also celebrated the beauty of Africa and shared the Word of God through stories of transformation.
These children, as ambassadors for Watoto representing the 3000 children under care, presented the vision and mission of their organisation, and to raise funds through the sale of craft items, among others.
Readers who would like to sponsor a child may do so at RM120 a month. For further information, check the website of www.watoto.asia or email asia@watoto.com.
Emily Lowe
