Voices of Hope

Thirty years ago, Canadian Ray Barnett was on a humanitarian trip to war-torn Uganda when he gave a small boy a ride from his decimated home to the safety of another village. During the journey, the child did what he knew how to do best – he sang. That simple song of dignity and hope became the catalyst for a program that has changed the lives of thousands of children and reshaped the future of the African continent. “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.” From there the African Children’s Choir was born.
On Friday, Sept. 25 Grace United Methodist Church in West Ashley welcomes the internationally-acclaimed African Children’s Choir. The concert is free and open to all. Melting the hearts of audiences with their charming smiles, beautiful voices, and lively African songs and dances, they perform well-loved children’s songs, traditional spirituals, and gospel favorites. A free-will offering will be taken at the performance to support African Children’s Choir programs, such as education, care and relief and development programs.
Music for Life (MFL), the parent organization for The African Children’s Choir, works in seven African countries such as, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa. MFL has educated over 52,000 children and impacted the lives of over 100,000 people through its relief and development programs. MFL’s purpose is to help create new leadership for tomorrow’s Africa, by focusing on education.
The African Children’s Choir has had the privilege to perform before presidents, heads of state and most recently, the Queen of England. The choir has also had the honor of singing alongside artists such as Paul McCartney, Annie Lennox, Keith Urban, Mariah Carey, Michael W. Smith, and other inspirational performers.
The African Children’s Choir will perform Friday, Sept. 25 , 7 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church, located at 1601 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. For more information call 766-1621 or visit
www.mygraceumc.org.