A children's choir from Africa providing an energetic fusion of contemporary gospel and traditional African rhythm will be playing in three Schuylkill County venues Nov. 24 and 25.
Jeanine Bedell, Watoto U.S. communications director, said the children of the Watoto Children's Choir are ambassadors for orphans in Africa and this is their first time outside of Uganda.
The Watoto ambassadors raise awareness about the plight of the orphaned and vulnerable children of Africa, with Watoto said to be "a holistic child-care solution initiated to serve the dire needs of Africa and her people."
Each of the children in the choir has suffered the loss of one or both parents and they live in Watoto Children's Villages, where they receive the care and nurturing they need to grow up as productive citizens of their own country.
According to a press release, the choir began its five-month Eastern U.S. tour on Oct. 6 in Oak Bluffs, Mass., and is continuing to tour all over Pennsylvania, including Auburn, Pottsville and Schuylkill Haven, in addition to major cities in the state.
The first county performance will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 24 at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 1245 Summer Hill Road, Auburn, while the other two performances will be at 10:15 a.m. Nov. 25 at Evangelical United Methodist Church, 305 S. Centre St., Pottsville, and at 6 p.m. Nov. 25 at First United Methodist Church, 420 Saylor St., Schuylkill Haven.
The performances are entitled Beautiful Africa: A New Generation.
"Through the choir's Concert of Hope, we share a message of transformation by telling the story of Africa's rescued orphans and women," said Gary Skinner, Watoto founder, in a press release. "We hope to reach out to audiences with the message of Christ's healing power."
The tour is also said to be an indicative of the new generation of leaders emerging out of Watoto, with vibrant, original African music, dance routines and life-transforming stories.
Watoto Children's Choirs have traveled internationally since 1994 as ambassadors for the millions of children in Africa, orphaned as a result of HIV/AIDS, war and poverty.
Since its inception, 56 choirs have traveled globally, providing the children with a larger worldview, which they would otherwise never get.
The choirs have been to Australia, Brazil, China, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Germany, France and the U.S,, among others, with audiences including royalty, presidents, ministers and the ordinary person.
For more information about the Watoto Children's Choir, visit www.watoto.com.