INSPIRATIONAL African youngsters who sang at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee concert are set to melt Moray hearts.
The African Children’s Choir has been providing hope and a future for orphaned and abandoned children since it was formed in 1984.
And the 38th choir will perform at St James’ Church in Lossiemouth next month as part of a UK-wide tour.
With charming smiles and beautiful voices, the children aged 7-11 years who will visit Lossie, all come from war torn Uganda.
Poverty means many families cannot afford to send their children to school and the money raised by the choir makes this possible and opens the door to a vital education.
The 90-minute concert on Saturday, October 6 will feature lively African songs and dances.
Proceeds from choir performance allow the African Children’s Choir to raise global awareness of the plight of the millions of orphaned and abandoned children in Africa.
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Donations directly support the expansion of sponsorship and education programmes for both the current choir children and the thousands of other students they represent.
Music for Life is the parent body of the African Children’s Choir and its purpose is to help create new leadership for tomorrow’s Africa. Working in seven African countries, it has educated over 52,000 children and impacted the lives of over 100,000 people through its relief and development programs during its 27-year history.
The Lossiemouth leg of the tour has been organised through the Lossiemouth Baptist Church and tickets are already selling fast for the 400-capacity venue at nearby St James’ Church.
Andrew and Karen Gault, members of the Baptish Church, have been the key organisers and they are excited at the prospect of meeting and hearing the children sing.
"It is uplifting to see them with big smiles on their faces and this is something that is giving them a life they would never have had," said Andrew. "Hopefully this will open people’s eyes to the background of the children."
Karen and Andrew will be among the host families for the 17 children and their chaperones.
"We are really looking forward to it," said Karen. "These children are all desperate to go to school and really value their education. This gives them a chance to lift themselves up."
A choir spokesperson said: "The choir members have the additional benefit of international travel with the choir. This exposes them to a wide variety of people, places and perspectives.
"Their life’s experiences combined with a structured formal education give the children the necessary tools to change their lives and the lives of others."
Earlier this year the choir stole the show for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace organised by pop star Gary Barlow. The children featured in the video made to accompany the official Jubilee tune ‘Sing’.
Tickets for the concert, priced £5 for adults and £3 for children, are on sale at Lossiemouth Post Office and from Andrew and Karen Gault on 01343 813258.
To read more about the choir's visit to Moray see 'The Northern Scot'.
