African Children’s Choir on tour in the US and Canada

This Sunday 4 October, the kids bring their signature blend of traditional songs and dances, as well as contemporary Christian music, to the First United Methodist Church in Albany, Georgia in the US. Meanwhile in Canada, the other choir performs on the same day at the Messiah Lutheran Church in Camrose, in the province of Alberta.

According to Heidi Moen, a volunteer tour leader for the choir, the current tour began in Charleston, South Carolina on 25 September and will end on 15 April 2016 in Miramar, Florida. The aim of the tour is to raise awareness of the needs of needy and orphaned children in Africa and to generate funds for the continued development of the choir. Moen added that while on tour the children are also looking for sponsors to help pay for their education.

Established in 1984 by Canadian missionary Ray Barnette, the African Children’s Choir is comprised of children between the ages of 7 and 10 from seven African countries: Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa. Officials from Music For Life, the parent organisation of the ACC, say many of the members have lost one or more parents due to war, famine or disease. Music For Life has reportedly educated more than 52 000 children and impacted the lives of more than 100 000 people through its relief and development programs. Its stated purpose is to help create new leadership for tomorrow’s Africa through education.

For the full list of dates for the African Children’s Choir North American tour, visit their website.