8/9/2019 African Children's Choir Magazine Q1-2010 Choir 34
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/african-childrens-choir-magazine-q1-2010-choir-34 1/20
HELPING AFRICA’Smost vulnerable
CHILDREN today, so they can help
AFRICA tomorrow
Music for LifCenters
Celebrating
25 Years!
Across Africa
Off toSchool
Printed in Canada
8/9/2019 African Children's Choir Magazine Q1-2010 Choir 34
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/african-childrens-choir-magazine-q1-2010-choir-34 2/20
2
0 1
0
c o n t e n t s
EDITORIAL TEAMExecutive Editors: Ray Barnett, Suzanne Nelson
Editors: Dawna Hodgins, Connie Millar, Penny Peterson, Michael Prins, David Turner
Photographic Contributions: Rebecca Johnson, Steve Hoyt, Victor Thiessen, Paul Yates,
Craig Peters, Nicolas Koole, Kyle Healy, Michael Prins, Steve Higgs, Sarah Lidstone,
Angela Lounsbury, Alex Palmer
Design and Art Direction: www.thinkgraphicdesigns.com
CONTACT USUnited States - PO Box 29690, Bellingham WA 98228
T 877-532-8651 F 800-394-4647
Canada - PO Box 3100, Langley, BC V3A 4R3
T 877-532-8651 F 800-394-4647
United Kingdom - PO Box 130, Sutton, Surrey SMI ITN
T 084-5073-0470 F 028-9266-6601
South Africa PO Box 365, Komatipoort 1340
E [email protected] W africanchildrenschoir.com
Gifts are tax deductible as a llowed by law. Music for Life is a registered charitable organization in
the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and South Africa. In the UK, Music for Life is a company limited by guarantee and not a share capital.
2 Welcome
625 Years
13Off to School
16Music for Life
Centers
3 Choir 34
9 Timeline
FOUNDER’S WORD
It has been 25 years since the rst African Children’s
Choir™ began their tour.
In that time, hundreds of children have performed
around the world and thousands more have been given
a chance for an education.
I originally envisioned the African Children’s Choir™ to
be a single project but the continued devastation in East
and South Africa meant that the Choir’s work was not
nished when the rst tour ended.
Millions of children and their families are still living in
deplorable conditions. They lack food and water. They
lack proper medical care. They lack the tools and skills
necessary to break the cycle of poverty and change
their circumstances.
In 25 years, the African Children’s Choir™, with God’s
help, has changed the lives of thousands, and with your
assistance we can change the lives of thousands more.
While the main story in this issue takes you through the
history of the African Children’s Choir™, the pictures
of the children give you a glimpse of Africa’s future.
The children dream of becoming Africa’s next leaders:
dentists, teachers, engineers, bank managers and even
presidents.
Your ongoing support as a Child Sponsor or Friend of
the Choir will ensure that the children you see on stage
today will achieve their dreams. You can help change a
continent, one child at a time.
1 / africanchildrenschoir.com
www.twitter.com/acchoir www.facebook.com/africanchildrenschoir
11 Across Africa
17 Capital Campaign
8/9/2019 African Children's Choir Magazine Q1-2010 Choir 34
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/african-childrens-choir-magazine-q1-2010-choir-34 3/20
WE ARE THEAFRICANCHILDREN’SCHOIR™
We are all between seven and eleven years
old and we come from Uganda and Kenya.Our countries are very beautiful but years
of war and disease have made many people
very poor. It is hard for our families to care
for us, and many of us cannot go to school
because our families cannot afford to send u
We hope our music and dancing will show
you how beautiful our culture is and inspire
you to help people in Africa.
Your generosity will help us and thousands
more children like us get an education so we
can grow up and help our families and our villages.
Thank you for supporting us.
A hunter returns to the village to tell of his encounter with a leopard. A small fshing boat comes across a hungry crocodile.
The king and his court celebrate a bountiful harvest with a dance reserved just for the occasion.
For 25 years, the African Children’s Choir™ has appeared at churches,
schools, and community centers, relying upon the generous donationsof those concert-goers to support its life-changing programs in the chil-
dren’s home communities in Africa.
Now the Choir has created a unique theatrical production called Journey
of Hope, designed to complement the ongoing touring gospel program.
Let the talented children of the African Children’s Choir™ take you along
on an inspiring musical journey across the vast and diverse continent of
Africa. Gain a fuller understanding of Africa—with its pride, promise, and
its problems—
as the children
share with you
the cultural
heritage of
their home-
land.
With costumes and dances
representing different cultures
throughout Africa, the children
demonstrate the beauty and
dignity of Africa and the joy and
hope of its people.
The Choir presents Journey of Hope in theaters and concert halls across the US.For more information visit our website at africanchildrenschoir.com/JOH
africanchildrenschoir.co
8/9/2019 African Children's Choir Magazine Q1-2010 Choir 34
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/african-childrens-choir-magazine-q1-2010-choir-34 4/20
Annett Benard Brian
Collins Evanson Fridah Gideon
Gladwel Gloria Henry Jane
Jennifer John Kennedy Lynne3 / africanchildrenschoir.com
The 34th
AfricanChildren’sChoir™
8/9/2019 African Children's Choir Magazine Q1-2010 Choir 34
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/african-childrens-choir-magazine-q1-2010-choir-34 5/20
The Team
CHAPERONES
One of several children in a
family that struggled to have
enough food, Tillas’ life change
forever when he was selected
as part of the 10 th African
Children’s Choir™. After travel-
ing with the Choir, Tillas was
supported all the way through
school by Music for Life and
graduated in Business Manage-
ment.
Annette grew up as one of six girls in a
poor Ugandan family, and faced a constant
struggle for food and no hope for an
education. After her mother brought her
to a school run by Music for Life, Annet
was chosen as a part of the 12 th African
Children’s Choir™. She traveled the world
with the choir and with the organization’s
help, went on to study Graphic Design and
Video Production at college.
As a young gir l in Uganda, Gr
did not attend school until
Music for Life found a spon-
sor for her and took her in toone of its schools. The Choir
helped her all the way throug
her education, and Grace now
holds a degree in HR Manage
ment. Grace is delighted to
have the opportunity to serve
as a chaperone and give back
the organization that changed
her life.
TillasGrace
Annette
sit us at africanchildrenschoir.com/help/volunteer for more information on becoming a chaperone.
Mary Nancy Rachel Rebecca
Samuel Simon Stella Susan
africanchildrenschoir.co
8/9/2019 African Children's Choir Magazine Q1-2010 Choir 34
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/african-childrens-choir-magazine-q1-2010-choir-34 6/20
CHANGE AFRICA
ONE CHILD
AT A TIM
God chose me to go to schoo
and gave me sponsors
to pay for me so I can learn-Rose (8, Uganda
BECOME ASPONSOR
5 / africanchildrenschoir.com
onsor a child from the Choir or one of the many other chil-
en attending Music for Life’s educational programs in Africa.
evelop a long-term, rewarding relationship with your spon-
red child and help your child achieve their dreams.
* Sponsorship is an on-going monthly committement.
For more information visit
africanchildrenschoir.com/sponsorshipor call 877-532-8651.
See page 18 to sign up now!
8/9/2019 African Children's Choir Magazine Q1-2010 Choir 34
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/african-childrens-choir-magazine-q1-2010-choir-34 7/20
As the Arican Children’s Choir™ celebrates its twenty-fth anniversary, we look back onhow ar we’ve come, and look ahead to where we’re going. It all started with a song.
YEARS25
OOver twenty-ve years ago an encounter between one man and one
small boy would change the lives of millions around the world.
Ray Barnett’s humanitarian work took him around the world, includ-
ing a number of trips to war-torn Uganda in the late 1970s and early
1980s.
On one trip, Ray and his companions gave a small boy a ride from hisdecimated home to the safety of another village. During the journey,
the child did what he knew how to do best–-he sang. In the midst of
despair, the boy’s song revealed a glimmer of hope, a reminder of the
beauty and dignity of this boy and his people.
A veteran of appealing for support, Ray dealt regularly with hesitancy
and apathy, and wanted a way to bridge the gap between the need in
Africa and the hear ts of people in the West.
“When I went back to Canada and people were not very interested
in Uganda, I remembered this small boy,” Ray explained. “I knew that if
only a group of these beautiful children could go to the West, people
would be deeply moved and would certainly want to help.”
In April 1984 Ray and a team of volunteers went to Uganda to sele
31 vulnerable children who would become the rst African Children
Choir™.
That September, the Choir landed in North America and achieve
much more throughout their tour than Ray could have imagined. ThChoir inspired audiences with their stories and raised enough fund
to open a children’s home—the rst of many. The home provided
stable environment and a quality education for the Choir children an
additional children who needed care.
While Ray had thought of the Choir as a one-time endeavour, th
Choir’s instant popularity and the ongoing needs in Uganda convince
him to continue.
A second Choir was selected from the children’s home, and the Af
can Children’s Choir™ began another tour.
africanchildrenschoir.co
8/9/2019 African Children's Choir Magazine Q1-2010 Choir 34
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/african-childrens-choir-magazine-q1-2010-choir-34 8/207 / africanchildrenschoir.com
The Choir’s success meant that it was able to provide for many chil-
dren beyond those in the Choir. Over the next few years, six more
homes were established to care for vulnerable children, many of whom
had been orphaned by the war.
The intense civil war in Uganda left many children unable to attend
school, so the African Children’s Choir™ established a number of spe-
cial literacy schools. There, hundreds of children learned to read and
write, and gained condence and skills that ensured a brighter future.
The organization next established a sponsorship program to help thechildren move further in their schooling. People from the West were
now able to help students from the literacy schools continue their
education at regular primary and secondary schools.
Peace was slowly returning to East Africa, but a new killer had entered
the picture—AIDS.
The AIDS epidemic was wreaking additional havoc on the struggling
country. Meanwhile, changing Government policies required that or -
phaned children should remain with extended family as much as pos-
sible. Already over-burdened families were feeling the strain of taking
in more needy children.
These new developments prompted the Choir to consider a new
model. Having one central location would allow students to keep in
closer contact with families, while relieving many struggling families of
the pressures of providing for additional children.
The organization responded by opening its rst boarding school: the
African Outreach Academy. The school provided a stable environment
and a quality education; a lifeline for hundreds of children whose fami-
lies had been affected by AIDS.
The African Children’s Choir™ has always tried to be where help was
needed most, adapting over the years to meet changing needs along
the way. Thousands of children had been helped in Uganda, but Ray knew that his job and the work of the Choir were far from done. Ray
was moved to help with similarly tragic situations in the neighbouring
countries of Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, and Rwanda.
The Choir began selecting Kenyan children for tour in 1990 (Kenya
is now second to Uganda in the number of children in the Choir).
Firmly established in the country, the organization was able to quickly
respond with emergency food and supplies during the violence sur-
rounding the 2008 Presidential Election.
The African Children’s Choir™ responded to the 1992 crisis in Soma-
lia, sending emergency food, medical supplies and education supplies.
Before recent mass publicity campaigns about the Lost Boys of Sudan,
the African Children’s Choir™ was working in the war-torn country,
providing emergency relief and establishing development projects. To-
day, the organization supports 15 primary schools, a secondary school,
a skills training center for practical skills like carpentry and brick-laying,
and one of the area’s few teacher’s training colleges to help re-build
the local education system.
In 1994, the Rwandan genocide made headlines around the world.
Not long after, the Choir was there; its work seemingly tailor-made for
the children of Rwanda. Children suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress
have beneted signicantly from music and dance. For the Rwandan
children chosen to be part of the African Children’s Choir™, it was
huge step forward.
Next, the organization expanded to Nigeria and Ghana. As in Ea
Africa, AIDS was taking its toll, its rapid spread leaving thousands o
children orphaned and vulnerable. New Choir children were selectefrom these countries and the organization ensured that they would b
supported all the way through college or university.
As the new millennium arrived Ray learned of an area in South Afric
decimated by AIDS. In the Nkomazi region thousands of orphane
children had to fend for themselves and raise their brothers and si
ters. A Choir was formed from the area to raise awareness and secur
funding for the devastated region.
It was there in South Africa that a powerful new program was bor
based on the transformation seen in the Choir children in other cou
tries.
The rst Music for Life Center was established in South Africa to pro
vide benets to children not touring with the Choir. Music and danc
lessons, tutoring and nutrition were offered in a loving Christian env
ronment, and the program quickly became the greatest source of jo
in the lives of many children.
The organization has recently opened similar Centers in nine mor
locations in South Africa, as well as two in Kenya and two in Ugand
At these Centers, the children are nurtured into condent young me
and women, equipped with the skills and determination to improv
their communities and their nations.
8/9/2019 African Children's Choir Magazine Q1-2010 Choir 34
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/african-childrens-choir-magazine-q1-2010-choir-34 9/20
Just as one boy’s song captured Ray’s imagination, the African Ch
dren’s Choir™ has stolen the hearts of people around the world.
Others have recognized that the children of the Choir vividly paint
positive vision for Africa’s future, and have brought their captivatin
smiles and talent to prestigious stages over the years.
The Choir has represented all of Africa’s children to Presidents an
royalty, at events like Live 8 and World AIDS Day, and to massive glob
audiences through TV programs and lm soundtracks.
In the West, the children’s music has brought hope and healing t
places like Ground Zero in New York and in Louisiana after Hurrican
Katrina. In Kenya, the children sang as brothers and sisters in a countr
divided by tribal tensions.
After 25 incredible years, not a day has passed without a Choir on tou
Thousands have been helped yet it is clear that the work of the Cho
is far from complete.
Every day in Africa, thousands more children are left vulnerable be
cause of AIDS, poverty, and war. Countless more lack access to clea
drinking water, proper nutrition, and education.
The children singing in the Choir—and the thousands they represent—
are the future leaders of Africa; educated men and women of stron
Christian faith and character, prepared to be the role-models for th
next generation.
Believe with us, join with us and help the African Children’s Choir™
continue to transform whole nations—one child at a time.
You too can be an “Auntie” or “Uncle”!Chaperone with the African Children’s Choir™
Download an application today at africanchildrenschoir.com/help/volunteer
[email protected] | 877-532-8651
*Chaperones commit to 12 months with the organization and should be at least 20 years old
africanchildrenschoir.co
The African Children’s Choir™ is actively seeking
Tour Chaperones to tour primarily within the United
States, Canada, or the United Kingdom.
This is an incredibly full ling way to impact children’s lives, and a travel
experience unlike any other!
Serve as an “Uncle” or “Auntie”, offering mentorship as a chaperone
and applying your practical skills in one of many roles: Administrator,
Teacher, Product Salesperson, Music Supervisor, Sound Technician, Bu
Driver, or even Tour Leader.
8/9/2019 African Children's Choir Magazine Q1-2010 Choir 34
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/african-childrens-choir-magazine-q1-2010-choir-34 10/20
1.
3.
4.
2.
1 s t A f r i c a n
C h i l d r e n
’ s C h o
i r ™ t o
u r s
t o N o r t h
A m e r i c a ( 1 )
6 t h T
o u r i n c l u d e s c h i l d r e n f r o m
K e n y a ( 2 )
A f r i c a n O u t r e a
c h A c a d e m y e s t a b l i s h e d i n L u w e r
o , U g a n d a
R e l i e f a i d b e g i n
s i n S u d a n
E m e r g e n c y a i d
s e n t t o S o m a l i a
T h e
A f r i c a n
C h
i l d r e n
’ s C h o
i r ™ n
o m
i n a
t e d f o r a
G r a m m y
A w a r d
1 s t 3 l i t e r a c y s c
h o o l s f o u n d e d i n K a m p a l a
C h o i r t o u r s b e
h i n d t h e I r o n C u r t a i n i n C o m m u n
i s t E a s t B e r l i n
6 a d
d i t i o n a
l c h i l d r e n
’ s h o m e s e s t a b
l i s h e
d i n U g a n
d a
1 s t c h i l d r e n
’ s h o m e e s t a b
l i s h e
d i n K a m p a
l a .
1 0 t h A
n n i v e r s a r y ! ( 3 )
1 9 8 4
1 9 8 5
1 9 8 6
1 9 8 8
1 9 9 0
1 9 9 1
1 9 9 2
1 9 9 3
1 9 9 4
9 / africanchildrenschoir.com
5.
8/9/2019 African Children's Choir Magazine Q1-2010 Choir 34
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/african-childrens-choir-magazine-q1-2010-choir-34 11/20
6.
7.
11.
8.
10.
9.
M a k i n d y e C h o i r T r a i n i n g A c a d e m y e s t a b l i s h e d i n
K a m p a l a ( 4 )
1 8 t h
T o u r
i n c l u
d e s c h
i l d r e n
f r o m
G h a n a
& N i g e r i a
C h o i r p e r f o r m
s a t N e l s o n M a n d e l a 4 6 6 6 4 c o n c e r t i n S o u t h A f r i c a ( 7 )
C h o i r p e r f o r m
s a t L i v e 8 i n H y d e P a r k , L o n d o n
M u s i c f o r L i f e P r i m a r y S c h o o l o p e n s i n K a m p a l a
( 5 )
A f r i c a n
C h i l d r e
n ’ s C h o
i r ™ J u
n i o r
A c a
d e m y o p e n
s i n K o m a t i p o o r t ,
S o u
t h A f r i c a
( 9 )
F o o d c o n t a i n e r s s e n t t o K e n y a a n d S u d a n
C h o
i r p e r f o r m s o n
A m e r i c a n
I d o
l s p e c i a
l “ I d o
l G
i v e s
B a c k
” , a n
d S e a s o n
7 n a
l e
1 s t t o u r t o A u s
t r a l i a ( 8 )
1 s t M u s i c f o r L i f e C e n t e r e s t a b l i s h e d i n S o u t h A f r i c a
M u s i c f o r L i f e b e g i n s w o r k i n N k o m a z i r e g i o n o f
S o u t h A f r i c a
C h o
i r s i n g s a t
G r o u n
d Z e r o
i n N e w
Y o r k
C i t y
2 4 t h T
o u r i n c l u d e s c h i l d r e n f r o m
R w a n d a
2 0 t h A
n n i v e r s a r y ! ( 6 )
2 5 t h A
n n i v e r s a r y ! ( 1 0 )
1 9 9 8
1 9 9 9
2 0 0 1
2 0 0 2
2 0 0 3
2 0 0 4
2 0 0 5
2 0 0 6
2 0 0 7
2 0 0 8
2 0 0 9
africanchildrenschoir.com
8/9/2019 African Children's Choir Magazine Q1-2010 Choir 34
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/african-childrens-choir-magazine-q1-2010-choir-34 12/2011 / africanchildrenschoir.com
across Africa
How You are Helping across Africa
With your support over the past 25 years, the African Children’s Choir™ has grown
into a much larger entity called Music for Life, bringing together the Choir and a
number of projects in Africa.
The African Children’s Choir™ remains the ambassadors for millions of vulnerable
children, bringing their stories and message of hope to the world.
8/9/2019 African Children's Choir Magazine Q1-2010 Choir 34
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/african-childrens-choir-magazine-q1-2010-choir-34 13/20africanchildrenschoir.com
• Capital: Pretoria
• Population: 43.8 million
• GDP per Capita: $5,133 (2006)• Life Expectancy: 42.4 years
• HIV/ AIDS Infection: 5.7 million (2007)
MFL RESPONDS:• Focus on Nkomazi region devastated by HIV/AIDS and drought
• 10 Music for Life Centers offer music, dance, nutrition and life skills
• Music for Life Junior Academy – a boarding school for Choir children
• 3 Choir Tours from area
South Africa
• Capital: Khartoum
• Population: 40.2 million
• GDP per Capita: $934 (2006)
• Life Expectancy: 50.3 years
• HIV/ AIDS Infection: 350,000– 600,000
MFL RESPONDS:• Operating 15 primary and 1 secondary schools
• Currently educating approximately 3500 children• Teachers’ Training College
• Skills Training Center and Mobile Medical Clinic
• Ongoing spiritual encouragement, leadership training and life skills
seminars, PTSD clinics, and relief shipments
• Ongoing partnerships with local organizations
Sudan
• Capital: Kampala
• Population: 29.6 million
• GDP per Capita: $346 (2006)
• Life Expectancy: 52.3 years
• HIV/ AIDS Infection: 940,000 (2007)
MFL RESPONDS:• First African Children’s Choir™ in 1984
• 100+ former Choir children sponsored in secondary schools
• 40+ former Choir children sponsored in colleges and universities
• Additional courses, workshops and camps offered during school breaks
• Volunteer teams host camps; provide additional education programs
and support
• Music for Life Centers offer music, dance, nutrition and life skills• 200 students sponsored at African Outreach Academy
• 200 students sponsored at 2 primary schools in Kampala slum
• 150+ former Choir children enrolled at African Children’s Choir™
Primary School
Uganda
• Capital: Kigali
• Population: 10.2 million
• GDP per Capita: $242 (2006)
• Life Expectancy: 49.8 years
• HIV/AIDS Infection: 150,000 (2007)
MFL RESPONDS:• 50+ students sponsored
• Volunteer teams host camps; provide additional education programs
and support
• Post-genocide counselling for PTSD and food and supply shipments
• Funding for community development projects
• Support for Gisimba Memorial Center
Rwanda
• Capital: Nairobi
• Population: 38.0 million• GDP per Capita: $650 (2006)
• Life Expectancy: 56.6 years
• HIV/AIDS Infection: 1.5 — 2.0 million (2007 est)
MFL RESPONDS:• 2nd highest number of children selected for Choir tours
• Ongoing mentorship and support for returning Choir children
• 75+ former Choir children supported
• Volunteer teams host camps; provide additional education programs
and support
• 2 Music for Life Centers offer dance, music and nutrition
Kenya
Nigeria Ghana• Capital: Abuja Accra
• Population: 138.3 million 23.4 million
• GDP per Capita: $917 (2006) $532 (2006)• Life Expectancy: 47.8 years 59.5 years
• HIV/AIDS Infection: 2.6 million (2007) 260,000(2007)
MFL RESPONDS:• Sponsorship of former Choir children in Secondary and Post-Secondary
school
• Ongoing support of King’s Kids Primary School in Nigeria
• Ongoing support of Living Stone Primary School in Ghana
8/9/2019 African Children's Choir Magazine Q1-2010 Choir 34
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/african-childrens-choir-magazine-q1-2010-choir-34 14/20
Helping Africa’s most vulnerable children today…
The African Children’s Choir™ realized early on that education is the
key to long-term change in Africa and made this its primary focus. Why is education so important?
“Because you learn things,” says 11-year old Tony. “I have learned to
know how my ancestors lived so I know if I need to change it or not.”
The children know rst-hand just how difcult life is for those who do
not have an education. Families will sacrice food, shelter and medical
care to send their children to school.
“The children really value
school, and look at it as a privi-
lege,” says former Choir chap-
erone and teacher Jenny Kohl-
rus. “They value education and
know that it will change their lives and their countries.”
…so they can help
Africa tomorrow!
Joshua is a 10-year old from
Uganda and member of
the 31st African Children’s
Choir™. His time on tour has
opened up a whole new fu-
ture. Like all African children,
Joshua has the potential to
make a difference. He knows that by studying and learning,
his future is wide open, in spite of the circumstances he has come
from.
“When you nish studying you can help other people” he says. “Like
when their eyes are sick, you can help them.” Joshua would like to be
an Optometrist one day.
The Choir supports the education of thousands of underprivileged
children like Joshua, providing sponsorship for tuition and supplies. The
organization also operates a number of schools in Uganda, South Af-
rica and Southern Sudan.
Music for Life Primary School - Uganda
In 2001, Music for Life Primary School was built to provide a home fo
returning Choir children and to expand on the unique education thereceived while on tour.
Joshua is assured of his place at the boarding school where he will b
loved, cared for and supported as he reaches for his dreams.
Music for Life Primary School blends positive elements of both Wes
ern and African culture. While on tour the children have an amazin
range of personal experiences and their teachers hope the childre
can use those experiences t
make connections not on
with the way things are, b
also with the way things cou
be.
An example of one such con
nection is Moses, a membe
of the rst African Children
Choir™. While on tour Mose
admired the smooth road
comparing them to the po
holed roads near his hom
in Kampala. That time on tou
inspired Moses to study eng
neering and become a Chi
Engineer for the City of Kam
pala. When it came time t
build the school, Moses wa
contracted by the Africa
Children’s Choir™ to supevise construction.
Music for Life Primary School has since established itself as one o
the top schools in Kampala. Academically, students consistently achiev
some of the highest National exam marks; members of the schoo
Mathematical Society have won competitions; and one student is eve
a prize-winning artist.
The school’s champion soccer and volleyball teams are a force to b
reckoned with but always impressing Headmaster Mark Williams an
their coaches with their outstanding sportsmanship.
off to
schoolHow would your life be different if you had never been to school? Would you hav
the same job? The same home? In the West, attending school is a requirement. In Africa it is
privilege, one that thousands of children miss out on because they are too poor. Yet around the world
education is seen as the key to ending poverty. Even the most basic reading, writing, and math skills ca
lead to jobs that can earn money for food, clothing, and medical care.
13 / africanchildrenschoir.com
8/9/2019 African Children's Choir Magazine Q1-2010 Choir 34
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/african-childrens-choir-magazine-q1-2010-choir-34 15/20
8/9/2019 African Children's Choir Magazine Q1-2010 Choir 34
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/african-childrens-choir-magazine-q1-2010-choir-34 16/20
Get your feet wet. Combining classroom teaching, guest speakers, and
hands-on practical experience in the eld, participants of all ages will
learn, live, and serve within Music for Life’s projects and their
surrounding communities. You will be matched up with one local
student, for a full learning experience! This is truly a taste of what it is
like living and working in the Relief and Development eld!
*Applicants must be at 18 yrs old, willing to cover/raise all costs for the
program, and have a heart for learning. Each course is split into 2 modules,
each lasting 4 weeks. You may do one or both modules
See for yourself.
Relief andDevelopment Course
WHAT’S ITREALLY LIKE
IN AFRICA?LIVING, BREATHING & HELPING
Experience Africa, and help some of Africa’s most vulnerable.
Be part of:
• Children’s Ministry & Day-camps
• Educational development, practicum course work • Construction/renovation projects
With your team of 6-12, you will enjoy community visits, project
visits, and an optional safari experience. Help give children acros
Africa an experience they would otherwise go without!
Enquire Today!
Change lives; it might even change you
Apply with your team today! Please enquire for dates, costapplication requirements, and availability.
877-532-8651
africanchildrenschoir.com/help/volunteer
You and your team can go to Afr
PRACTICUM
COURSE
CAMP TEAMS
EDUCATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
WORK CREWS
CAMP TEAMS
Relief and Development
Course/Practicum
Nairobi , KENYA
May-June 2010
June-July 2010
4 or 8 week opportunities.
Enquire for further details: 877-532-8651
E N RO LLN O W !
15 / africanchildrenschoir.com
8/9/2019 African Children's Choir Magazine Q1-2010 Choir 34
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/african-childrens-choir-magazine-q1-2010-choir-34 17/20
Music and dance can forever alter a life. The joy witnessed in each
member of the African Children’s Choir™ is evidence that song and
dance can transcend life’s difculties and minister to the spirit.
This belief led Music for Life to present an after-school program to
share Christ’s love based on the Choir model to local communities
across Africa.
Called Music for Life Centers, the program offers similar opportunities
for growth to children beyond the Choir, in some of Africa’s most des-
perate situations. The mission of the Music for Life Centers is simple
but powerful; “To uplift, inspire and empower children through involve-
ment in Music and Dance, and the Performing Arts as a whole.”
Music for Life Centers partner with local schools to purposefully select
approximately 50 of the most vulnerable children to participate in this
extra-curricular program. Exposure to the performing arts has proven
to be the catalyst for signicant changes in their young lives.
Music for Life began its work in 2002 in the Nkomazi region of South
Africa, an area devastated by unemployment, drought, AIDS and HIV.
The vision to bring the Choir model to this devastated area became
reality in 2006 when three Centers were established, each week pro-
viding the oppor tunity for singing, dancing and life skills training.
The musical aspect alone has been excellent in facilitating develop-ment in areas such as listening skills, memory retention, teamwork and
goal setting. In addition to ministering to the children’s educational,
emotional, and spiritual needs, snacks and/or lunches are provided with
each session, sometimes the only food a child will eat that day.
The results of this project are tangible. Di Babb, Operations Manager
in South Africa, shares the story of one boy named Sipho. In his eight
short years, Sipho has lost all four of his siblings, his mother, and is left
in the care of his alcoholic father. Local school staff, recognizing Sipho’s
dire situation, collaborated with Music for Life to have him admitted
into Music for Life Center program.
With staff fostering a safe and trusting relationship with him, Sipho wasable to open up about his home situation. The change in his counte-
nance is visible. Di Babb now reports, “It is obvious he feels loved and
cared for in a way he’s never before experienced.”
It is for children like Sipho that this program exists. Involvement in the
performing arts - within a stimulating and caring environment - af-
rms basic rights, infuses self-esteem, and builds life skills. The personal
changes are undeniable; workers and school administrators bear wit-
ness to heightened condence, focus in class, and most importantly,
smiles on faces that once had none!
“With the MFL group going to the schools every week, it is obviou
that the children have learned songs, dances and l ife skills,” says Eunic
Odieo, a former Choir member, now a Center volunteer. “The childre
are very keen and always ready to learn new things.”
Each term culminates in a scheduled performance for friends and fam
ily, giving these children another opportunity to shine and build fait
in themselves!
In just four years the growth has been astonishing. Music for Life is no
privileged to serve 10 schools weekly in South Africa. The prograalso includes additional Centers in Kenya and Uganda, modied only t
remain culturally relevant. All have met with the same positive result
The desire to ensure each individual child’s emotional, social an
spiritual needs are met is promoting positive development in eac
community. Relationships and personal contact with the most vulne
able children have opened the door to help meet many families’ mo
pressing needs by providing food and medical care.
In keeping with Music for Life’s mission of “helping Africa’s most vulneable today, so they can help Africa tomorrow”, many young adults wh
have been helped by Music for Life are also involved, leading the classe
and mentoring to the younger children. No one can understand the
children better than those who have shared their history.
David Kanyosya is one such former Choir member who now wor
for Music for Life in Kenya. “The children have opened up to the youn
adults since they feel associated to them,” he says. “Some of them hav
lived in the same neighborhoods and have experienced and lived sim
lar lives before they joined Music for Life. This has enabled the leade
to counsel and give hope to the children in a more personal level an
as a result enriching the value of MFL programs.”
Mwai Githinji, the Kenya Ofce Administrator says, “with so muc
praise from the school administration and the children too, our youn
adults are more than zealous to reach out to many other children an
see their lives changed and transformed for good.”
The added dimension of having the older teach the younger is a bles
ing, creating a beautiful cycle unique to Music for Life that ripples ou
ward even as it comes full circle. The Music for Life Centers fulll th
original hope of the organization: helping Africa’s most vulnerable to
day, so they can help Africa tomorrow. “We hope that we would hav
put a ray of hope for the little children’s hearts”, says Eunice, “and giv
them hope for a better future.”
Centers across Africa
africanchildrenschoir.com
8/9/2019 African Children's Choir Magazine Q1-2010 Choir 34
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/african-childrens-choir-magazine-q1-2010-choir-34 18/20
The temporary solution was to house and school students in the
lower grades at a satellite campus approximately 20 minutes away. The
Choirs in training were at yet a third facility.
Construction began to build a new, upgraded education facility on
a 15-acre parcel of land near Entebbe, on the
shores of Lake Victoria.
The children moved in and began classes at the
new facility in February 2010. The children are
enjoying the wide open spaces, larger classroomsand expanded programs. Everyone at the school
agrees that the lakeside location is amazing and
the sunrise is beautiful!
When the children were asked what they thought
of the new school, two boys quickly spoke about
seeing two crested cranes ying overhead. This
was the rst time the children had ever seen the
national bird of Uganda!
The school facility is not nished yet, but the chil-
dren enjoy seeing the progress of the building
projects and watching how everything is put together.
The campus currently has space to house up to 200 students, wit
potential to expand. Additional staff and guest housing will be built o
site and a new Choir Training Center will allow children to continu
their classes with their peers. The Assembly Ha
and Amphitheater will provide a meeting plac
for students and the community. A full socce
pitch will accommodate the school’s champion
ship soccer teams.
The campus will also have a garden to he
with science lessons and to provide some o
the school’s food needs. Landscaping has bee
designed with lots of open spaces for play, an
other spaces for quiet reection or study.
Funding is still needed to complete the din
ing hall, staff housing and administrative ofce
and complete Phase One of the building cam
paign. Your generosity will open the doors to
brighter future for Africa’s vulnerable childre
Donate now!
AFRICANCHILDREN’SCHOIR™ PRIMARY SCHOOCAPITAL CAMPAIGN
To donate to the school’s capital campaign, please call 877-532-8651 or visit www.africanchildrenschoir.com
The success of the African Children’s Choir ™ created a happy dilemma; the Music for Life Prima
School campus was overfowing with 150 students enrolled at a facility originally built for 90!
17 / africanchildrenschoir.com
8/9/2019 African Children's Choir Magazine Q1-2010 Choir 34
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/african-childrens-choir-magazine-q1-2010-choir-34 19/20africanchildrenschoir.com
I WOULD like tosupport the work
of the ChoirFor a tax receipt, please ensure that you provide your mailing address
Name: ________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________
City: __________________________________________________
State/Province: ___________________ Post/Zip Code: _________
Email: _________________________________________________
Phone: ________________________________________________
Please accept my One-time Monthly gift of $ ___________
To support:
Choir Child Sponsorship ($50/$100/$200 per month)
Sponsorship ($35 per month)
African Children’s Choir™ Primary School
Music for Life Centers
Other (Please specify): _________________________________
Payments will be taken on the 15th (credit card) or 18th (direct debit) of each month
stand that I may revoke this authorization at any time by providing 15 days notice.
Signature: ______________________________________________
My check payable to “Music for Life” is enclosed.
Debit my bank account (void check enclosed)
Debit my credit card
Name of Card Holder: ___________________________________
Card Number: _________________________________________
Expiry Date _______ /_______
Mail to:
United States PO Box 29690, Bellingham, WA 98228
Canada PO Box 3100, Langley, BC V3A 4R 3
Corresponding via email lowers administration costs. We will not share or sell your ema
Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law. Tax receipts for donations under $15
issued by request only.
For more information:
t: 877-532-8651
w: africanchildrenschoir.com/help/volunteer
C34MAG
africanchildrenschoir.com
ponsorship is an ongoing monthly commitment.
ign up now for automatic payments from your bank account or credit card.
I was a member o f the
A f r ican Childr en’s Choir ™.
Thank s to m y sponsor s I ha ve
gr adua ted f r om high school
and am wai ting
to s tar t univer si t y.
Sponsor a Choir
member lik e the
ones you see on
s tage toda y, and
help themachie ve
their dr eams too.
Sign Up Now!
The cost to support a child in a community school is $35 per
month. Your monthly commitment provides school fees, sup-
plies, uniforms and lunch for your child intil he or she has com-
pleted secondary school.
My f amily is v er y poor . Bef or e Music f or Lif e I w as not in school. My sponsor s pay f or me to g o to school. My f utur e w ill be better just lik e all the other childr en w ho g o to school. Y ou can help another child lik e me g o to school too.
The full cost to support a Choir child is $200 per month. Your
$50 per month helps provide complete care at a boarding school
until your child has completed post-secondary school.
Sponsor a member of theAfrican Children’s Choir ™
Sponsor a child
Establish a long-termrelationship with a special child
8/9/2019 African Children's Choir Magazine Q1-2010 Choir 34
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/african-childrens-choir-magazine-q1-2010-choir-34 20/20
African Children’s Choir™ Music CD’s & DVD
Title: Qty USA/Canada
Gospel with Friends _____ $15.00
Still Walking in the Light _____ $15.00
Because You Loved Me _____ $15.00
Devotion _____ $15.00
t Takes a Whole Village _____ $15.00
Still Walking in the Light (DVD) _____ $20.00
Teach Me To Dance (DVD) _____ $20.00
T-shirts
Adults - S M L XL XXL _____ $20.00
Child - Sm Med Lg _____ $15.00(6-8) (10-12)(14-16)
Subtotal __________
Shipping & Handling add 10% __________
Total __________
Name: ___________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________
City: _____________________________________________________
State/Province: ___________________ Post/Zip Code: ____________
Email: ____________________________________________________
Corresponding via email lowers administration costs. We will not share or sell your email address.
Phone: ___________________________________________________
Method of Payment:
Visa Master Card AMEX Other
Check made payable to “Music for Life”
Card Number ___________________________ Expiry Date ___ / ___
Name on Card: ____________________________________________
Signature: _________________________________________________
Mail your order form to:
United States: PO Box 29690, Bellingham, WA 98228-1690
Canada: PO Box 3100, Langley, BC V3A 4R3
Take the Choir Gospel With Friends:The Choir’s latest album, high-
lighting some of the Choir’s
favourite gospel classics and
performances with special
friends such as Michael W. Smith and
Jars of Clay
It Takes A Whole Village:
A rich compilation of 17 tracks featur-ing many traditional African songs as
well as a few English favourites, taking
you on an authentic African experi-
ence as you hear and feel the beats o
various African cultures
Still Walking in the Light:A live recording of the Choir’s 15th
Anniversary Celebrations. A time-
honored collection featuring the
Choir’s all-time classics such as “O
Happy Day” and “This Little Light of
Mine” (Also available in DVD)
Devotion:Share with the Choir’s daily time of
praise and worship in this balanced
mix of both energetic and easy-lis-
tening contemporary Christian praise
songs
Because You Loved Me:A collection of the Choir’s most
popular songs, such as “Highway to
Heaven” and “Seed to Sow”, including
the popular title track “Because You
Loved Me”
T-Shirt:Show your support for the Choir
by wearing one of these high quality
T-Shirts, with our vibrant, eye-catching
logo on the front. Available in both
child and adult sizes
Teach Me To Dance:A live recording of the Choir’s 20th
Anniversary Celebrations at Vancou-
ver’s prestigious Orpheum Theatre.
See the color, energy, and sounds of
the Choir and other special perform-
ers, including the Vancouver Symphon
Orchestra. Filmed in widescreen and
5.1 Dolby Surround Sound
home with YOU!