Carrying a vibrant message of hope and inspiration and with smiles that light up the room, the Watoto Children’s Choir brought their inspirational live performance to Burns Lake last week.
Through songs, stories of despair and triumph and energetic, colourful drum and dance routines, the Watoto Children’s Choir is spreading a message of hope for Africa’s children during their 2012 Canadian tour.
Watoto Children's Choirs have traveled internationally since 1994, advocating for the estimated 47 million children in Sub Saharan Africa that have been orphaned as a result of war, poverty and disease.
The choir, comprising of children between the ages of six and 13 represent Watoto’s vision. Their mission is to raise awareness about the plight of the orphaned and vulnerable children and marginalized women in Africa.
Watoto choir number 53 team leader Sam Kimera said that the Watoto Choir started in 1994. From there it flourished and 53 choirs later it is still going strong. The experience gives the children exposure to other cultures broadening their world view. It also gives them confidence and boldness and helps them rise up out of their own situations of sadness and despair.
Currently Watoto cares for 2,400 plus children, the number 53 choir represents just 22 of them. "Jesus cares, that is our message," he said.
A different choir is chosen for each tour and there is a five month training period for the children. "There is an audition process for singing and dancing, although it is not difficult to get any of the children singing and dancing," he laughed. The only stipulation is that the children are aged between six and 13.
"This choir started their tour in January and will be home in July, 2012," he said, adding that it is the first time any of the children have seen snow. "They are really enjoying Canada," he said
All of the children cared for by Watoto are orphaned, either through war or disease. They live in the Watoto villages with an adoptive mother who is often a victim herself. Watoto villages provide formal education and the Watoto Vocational Centre provides technical education. Physical, emotional and spiritual needs are met. It is a place to call home.
UNICEF and UNAIDS estimate that 47.5 million orphans live in sub Saharan Africa and one quarter of those have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS. Of those, 2.5 million live in Uganda.
Nearly 11 million children in Africa die each year, before their fifth birthday.
Many of the children in choir number 53 come from Gulu, Northern Uganda. "In this area we have been rescuing and providing trauma rehabilitation to former child soldiers," Kimera said
In the Northern districts of Uganda, approximately 66,000 children have been abducted over the past 20 years, forced to become sex slaves and fight in the Lord's Resistance Army lead by Joseph Kony. His goal is to over throw the Ugandan government using violent tactics. In 2005, Kony was indicted for war crimes by the international criminal court in the Hague, Netherlands, but has since, evaded capture.
Watoto is a holistic care program that was initiated by Canadian Pentecostal pastors Gary and Marilyn Skinner as a response to the overwhelming number of orphaned children in Uganda.
During 2011, Watoto expanded into South Africa and has also expanded programs in Northern Uganda.
Watoto has built a babies home and a village in response to the orphan crisis due to the civil war.
Also, initiated in 2008, Watoto's 'Living Hope'. Living Hope is dedicated to HIV positive single women, returners from abduction and teenage mothers, teaching them entrepreneurial skills so they can support their family. Hand made items, including dolls scarves and jewelry made by the women of Living Hope were for sale at the Burns Lake concert.
Henry Washington from the Burns Lake Pentecostal Church said Watoto Children's Choir was brought to Burns Lake by the Burns Lake Pentecostal Church and the First Mennonite Church.
Washington said no fees are paid to Watoto. "They just come for the offering [donations] that is collected at the concert," he said.
To sponsor a life or donate to the cause go to www.watoto.com.