ABILENE, Texas (ABP) — Like most boys his age, 8-year-old David dreams about what he'll be when he grows up. This week, he wants to be an air-traffic controller.
A year ago, he probably never dreamed he'd be in the United States. Born in one of the most impoverished areas of Uganda, he had little hope of getting an education.
His 9-year-old friend Esther aspires to be a professional singer, but a year ago that would have been highly improbable. Now, a choir trip around the United States is changing both of their lives.
Esther and David sing in the African Children's Choir, which is touring America, with stops in California, Colorado, Arizona, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia. They are two of 24 singers between the ages of 7 and 11 who make up the world-renowned choir, now on its 28th U.S. tour.
Singing about how the pure in heart will walk the highway of heaven, the children's choir represents millions of children in Africa. Choir leaders say the children sing for Africa's 12 million AIDS orphans. Many of the singers have lost one or both parents through war, famine or disease.
Education is expensive in Africa because there are no free public schools. The students on tour spend part of their days rehearsing, but more importantly they take classes from teachers who travel with them. They also receive full tuition for the remainder of their primary, secondary and college education.
Through its parent organization, Music for Life Institute, the choir is currently providing an education for more than 7,000 children in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Sudan, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa. It also finances other relief and development projects in Africa.
“These children are bright, articulate and motivated to realize their potential,” said Ray Barnett, founder of the African Children's Choir. “We believe they can make a difference, and we believe that when audiences see Africa through their eyes they will want to partner with us to give these children every opportunity to succeed and impact their countries.”
The choir's 2006-2007 tour began in Washington in May. It performed live at the finale of Canadian Idol and can be heard on the soundtrack for the Warner Bros. movie Blood Diamond.
During the course of performing 35 concerts in Texas in five months, the choir sang Feb. 21 at Shining Star Baptist Church in Abilene, Texas. Two other Baptist churches co-sponsored the event.
Richard Darden, pastor of Shining Star Baptist Church, considers the choir performance an extension of his multi-ethnic congregation's ministry and community outreach.
“We wanted to send a message that indicates how churches are showing partnership with the community,” Darden said. “This, we hope, will make communities aware that churches do care. We all have something in common — children at risk.”
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— Photos available from Associated Baptist Press.