CHILDREN FROM AFRICA BRING A MESSAGE OF HOPE TO NORTHSHORE COMMUNITIES

Written by admin on 28 March 2011

The children of the Watoto Choir have a contageous enthusiasm, we couldn't help leaving with a sense of optimism, connection to the larger global community and inspiration to help those in need. Photo OntarioNewsNorth.com 2010

Photo OntarioNewsNorth.com 2010

TERRACE BAY/MANITOUWADGE, ON – This week Northshore communities will be treated to a taste of East African music and culture as the Watoto Children’s Choir visits Terrace Bay and Manitouwadge. I was fortunate enough to experience the Watoto Children’s Choir in Sault Ste. Marie with my daughter when they travelled through Canada in 2010 and cannot say enough about the inspiration these children deliver through their incredible talents for song and dance.

Watoto means “the Children” in Swahili and these children are on a mission that will take them on a journey from the West to the East Coast of Canada in 2011. Through inspirational songs and compelling stories, the Watoto Children’s Choir is spreading a message of hope for Africa’s children.

Join the Watoto Children’s Choir for a Concert of Hope on March 31^st in Terrace Bay and April 1^st in Manitouwadge. Though the Concerts of Hope are free, family-friendly events, the Sault Ste. Marie performance did include an opportunity to make a donation and this was my only disappointment, that not having been aware of this in advance, I did not have anything to give – the donation is not mandatory nor is it implied but I will not make the same mistake when attending this Thursday in Manitouwadge. The performance features African rhythms and harmonies, which are accented by brilliant costumes and inspirational stories from the children of Watoto Children’s Villages in Uganda, East Africa. We were moved by the music and captivated by the energy of these talented Ugandan children.

Photo OntarioNewsNorth.com 2010

Watoto was established in 1994 as a compassionate response ot the critical AIDS crisis in Uganda. Today, Watoto is impacting the lives of more than 2,000 children who have been orphaned and abandoned as a result of the AIDS epidemic, civil strife, extreme poverty, or other catastrophic events, by providing for their physical, emotional, educational and spiritual needs. The purpose of Watoto is to give these children hope, dignity and meaning. For this to become an ongoing reality, Watoto’s goal for 2011 is to mobilize 11,000 global sponsors to further increase the number of children rescued from desperate circumstances. With this in mind, Watoto encourages the support of all Canadians to sponsor a life and to change a story for these vulnerable children.

Living Hope is a new Watoto program that has transformed the lives of an estimated 1,200 women in Kampala and 900 women in war torn Gulu, Northern Uganda. The target groups are HIV positive single women, returnees from abduction by the Lord’s Resistance Army, and teenage mothers. The goal of Living Hope is to restore dignity to vulnerable women. The 2011 Canadian Tour features fair trade items for purchase that are made by women in the Living hope program.

Watoto’s purpose is to RESCUE A CHILD – RAISE A LEADER – REBUILD A NATION.. For more information about Sponsoring a Life please call the toll free number at 10888090WATOTO Ext: 110 or visit their website at www.watototo.com