In 1984, in the midst of Uganda’s bloody civil war, human rights activist Ray Barnett was called on to help the many thousands of orphaned and starving children, abandoned and helpless to feed and protect themselves. Inspired by the singing of one small boy, Ray and his team formed the first African Children’s Choir to show the world that Africa’s most vulnerable children have beauty, dignity and unlimited ability.
The first Choir was selected from orphaned and vulnerable children in the Kampala and Luwero areas of Uganda. After the Choir was trained to perform the children traveled from Uganda to tour amongst the North American Church communities. The proceeds of that first African Children’s Choir tour funded the building of an orphanage back in Kampala and a second African Children’s Choir was selected. And so the story of the Choir’s work began.
The African Children’s Choir has visited the Old & Abbey several times. The photographs below were taken during their last visit.
For more information about the choir visit http://africanchildrenschoir.com/