african children's choir magazine q1-2010 choir 34

8/9/2019 African Children's Choir Magazine Q1-2010 Choir 34

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HELPING AFRICA’Smost vulnerable

CHILDREN today, so they can help

AFRICA tomorrow

Music for LifCenters

Celebrating

25 Years!

Across Africa

Off toSchool

Printed in Canada



2

0 1

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c o n t e n t s

EDITORIAL TEAMExecutive Editors: Ray Barnett, Suzanne Nelson

Editors: Dawna Hodgins, Connie Millar, Penny Peterson, Michael Prins, David Turner

Photographic Contributions: Rebecca Johnson, Steve Hoyt, Victor Thiessen, Paul Yates,

Craig Peters, Nicolas Koole, Kyle Healy, Michael Prins, Steve Higgs, Sarah Lidstone,

Angela Lounsbury, Alex Palmer

Design and Art Direction: www.thinkgraphicdesigns.com

CONTACT USUnited States - PO Box 29690, Bellingham WA 98228

T 877-532-8651 F 800-394-4647

Canada - PO Box 3100, Langley, BC V3A 4R3

T 877-532-8651 F 800-394-4647

United Kingdom - PO Box 130, Sutton, Surrey SMI ITN

T 084-5073-0470 F 028-9266-6601

South Africa PO Box 365, Komatipoort 1340

E [email protected] W africanchildrenschoir.com

Gifts are tax deductible as a llowed by law. Music for Life is a registered charitable organization in

the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and South Africa. In the UK, Music for Life is a company limited by guarantee and not a share capital.

2 Welcome

625 Years

13Off to School

16Music for Life

Centers

3 Choir 34

9 Timeline

FOUNDER’S WORD

It has been 25 years since the rst African Children’s

Choir™ began their tour.

In that time, hundreds of children have performed

around the world and thousands more have been given

a chance for an education.

I originally envisioned the African Children’s Choir™ to

be a single project but the continued devastation in East

and South Africa meant that the Choir’s work was not

nished when the rst tour ended.

Millions of children and their families are still living in

deplorable conditions. They lack food and water. They

lack proper medical care. They lack the tools and skills

necessary to break the cycle of poverty and change

their circumstances.

In 25 years, the African Children’s Choir™, with God’s

help, has changed the lives of thousands, and with your

assistance we can change the lives of thousands more.

While the main story in this issue takes you through the

history of the African Children’s Choir™, the pictures

of the children give you a glimpse of Africa’s future.

The children dream of becoming Africa’s next leaders:

dentists, teachers, engineers, bank managers and even

presidents.

Your ongoing support as a Child Sponsor or Friend of

the Choir will ensure that the children you see on stage

today will achieve their dreams. You can help change a

continent, one child at a time.

1 / africanchildrenschoir.com

www.twitter.com/acchoir www.facebook.com/africanchildrenschoir

11 Across Africa

17 Capital Campaign



WE ARE THEAFRICANCHILDREN’SCHOIR™

We are all between seven and eleven years

old and we come from Uganda and Kenya.Our countries are very beautiful but years

of war and disease have made many people

very poor. It is hard for our families to care

for us, and many of us cannot go to school

because our families cannot afford to send u

We hope our music and dancing will show

you how beautiful our culture is and inspire

you to help people in Africa.

Your generosity will help us and thousands

more children like us get an education so we

can grow up and help our families and our villages.

Thank you for supporting us.

A hunter returns to the village to tell of his encounter with a leopard. A small fshing boat comes across a hungry crocodile.

The king and his court celebrate a bountiful harvest with a dance reserved just for the occasion.

For 25 years, the African Children’s Choir™ has appeared at churches,

schools, and community centers, relying upon the generous donationsof those concert-goers to support its life-changing programs in the chil-

dren’s home communities in Africa.

Now the Choir has created a unique theatrical production called Journey

of Hope, designed to complement the ongoing touring gospel program.

Let the talented children of the African Children’s Choir™ take you along

on an inspiring musical journey across the vast and diverse continent of

Africa. Gain a fuller understanding of Africa—with its pride, promise, and

its problems—

as the children

share with you

the cultural

heritage of

their home-

land.

With costumes and dances

representing different cultures

throughout Africa, the children

demonstrate the beauty and

dignity of Africa and the joy and

hope of its people.

The Choir presents Journey of Hope in theaters and concert halls across the US.For more information visit our website at africanchildrenschoir.com/JOH

africanchildrenschoir.co



Annett Benard Brian

Collins Evanson Fridah Gideon

Gladwel Gloria Henry Jane

Jennifer John Kennedy Lynne3 / africanchildrenschoir.com

The 34th

AfricanChildren’sChoir™



The Team

CHAPERONES

One of several children in a

family that struggled to have

enough food, Tillas’ life change

forever when he was selected

as part of the 10 th African

Children’s Choir™. After travel-

ing with the Choir, Tillas was

supported all the way through

school by Music for Life and

graduated in Business Manage-

ment.

Annette grew up as one of six girls in a

poor Ugandan family, and faced a constant

struggle for food and no hope for an

education. After her mother brought her

to a school run by Music for Life, Annet

was chosen as a part of the 12 th African

Children’s Choir™. She traveled the world

with the choir and with the organization’s

help, went on to study Graphic Design and

Video Production at college.

As a young gir l in Uganda, Gr

did not attend school until

Music for Life found a spon-

sor for her and took her in toone of its schools. The Choir

helped her all the way throug

her education, and Grace now

holds a degree in HR Manage

ment. Grace is delighted to

have the opportunity to serve

as a chaperone and give back

the organization that changed

her life.

TillasGrace

Annette

sit us at africanchildrenschoir.com/help/volunteer for more information on becoming a chaperone.

Mary Nancy Rachel Rebecca

Samuel Simon Stella Susan




CHANGE AFRICA

ONE CHILD

AT A TIM

God chose me to go to schoo

and gave me sponsors

to pay for me so I can learn-Rose (8, Uganda

BECOME ASPONSOR


onsor a child from the Choir or one of the many other chil-

en attending Music for Life’s educational programs in Africa.

evelop a long-term, rewarding relationship with your spon-

red child and help your child achieve their dreams.

* Sponsorship is an on-going monthly committement.

For more information visit

africanchildrenschoir.com/sponsorshipor call 877-532-8651.

See page 18 to sign up now!



As the Arican Children’s Choir™ celebrates its twenty-fth anniversary, we look back onhow ar we’ve come, and look ahead to where we’re going. It all started with a song.

YEARS25

OOver twenty-ve years ago an encounter between one man and one

small boy would change the lives of millions around the world.

Ray Barnett’s humanitarian work took him around the world, includ-

ing a number of trips to war-torn Uganda in the late 1970s and early

1980s.

On one trip, Ray and his companions gave a small boy a ride from hisdecimated home to the safety of another village. During the journey,

the child did what he knew how to do best–-he sang. In the midst of

despair, the boy’s song revealed a glimmer of hope, a reminder of the

beauty and dignity of this boy and his people.

A veteran of appealing for support, Ray dealt regularly with hesitancy

and apathy, and wanted a way to bridge the gap between the need in

Africa and the hear ts of people in the West.

“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.”

In April 1984 Ray and a team of volunteers went to Uganda to sele

31 vulnerable children who would become the rst African Children

Choir™.

That September, the Choir landed in North America and achieve

much more throughout their tour than Ray could have imagined. ThChoir inspired audiences with their stories and raised enough fund

to open a children’s home—the rst of many. The home provided

stable environment and a quality education for the Choir children an

additional children who needed care.

While Ray had thought of the Choir as a one-time endeavour, th

Choir’s instant popularity and the ongoing needs in Uganda convince

him to continue.

A second Choir was selected from the children’s home, and the Af

can Children’s Choir™ began another tour.



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The Choir’s success meant that it was able to provide for many chil-

dren beyond those in the Choir. Over the next few years, six more

homes were established to care for vulnerable children, many of whom

had been orphaned by the war.

The intense civil war in Uganda left many children unable to attend

school, so the African Children’s Choir™ established a number of spe-

cial literacy schools. There, hundreds of children learned to read and

write, and gained condence and skills that ensured a brighter future.

The organization next established a sponsorship program to help thechildren move further in their schooling. People from the West were

now able to help students from the literacy schools continue their

education at regular primary and secondary schools.

Peace was slowly returning to East Africa, but a new killer had entered

the picture—AIDS.

The AIDS epidemic was wreaking additional havoc on the struggling

country. Meanwhile, changing Government policies required that or -

phaned children should remain with extended family as much as pos-

sible. Already over-burdened families were feeling the strain of taking

in more needy children.

These new developments prompted the Choir to consider a new

model. Having one central location would allow students to keep in

closer contact with families, while relieving many struggling families of

the pressures of providing for additional children.

The organization responded by opening its rst boarding school: the

African Outreach Academy. The school provided a stable environment

and a quality education; a lifeline for hundreds of children whose fami-

lies had been affected by AIDS.

The African Children’s Choir™ has always tried to be where help was

needed most, adapting over the years to meet changing needs along

the way. Thousands of children had been helped in Uganda, but Ray knew that his job and the work of the Choir were far from done. Ray

was moved to help with similarly tragic situations in the neighbouring

countries of Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, and Rwanda.

The Choir began selecting Kenyan children for tour in 1990 (Kenya

is now second to Uganda in the number of children in the Choir).

Firmly established in the country, the organization was able to quickly

respond with emergency food and supplies during the violence sur-

rounding the 2008 Presidential Election.

The African Children’s Choir™ responded to the 1992 crisis in Soma-

lia, sending emergency food, medical supplies and education supplies.

Before recent mass publicity campaigns about the Lost Boys of Sudan,

the African Children’s Choir™ was working in the war-torn country,

providing emergency relief and establishing development projects. To-

day, the organization supports 15 primary schools, a secondary school,

a skills training center for practical skills like carpentry and brick-laying,

and one of the area’s few teacher’s training colleges to help re-build

the local education system.

In 1994, the Rwandan genocide made headlines around the world.

Not long after, the Choir was there; its work seemingly tailor-made for

the children of Rwanda. Children suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress

have beneted signicantly from music and dance. For the Rwandan

children chosen to be part of the African Children’s Choir™, it was

huge step forward.

Next, the organization expanded to Nigeria and Ghana. As in Ea

Africa, AIDS was taking its toll, its rapid spread leaving thousands o

children orphaned and vulnerable. New Choir children were selectefrom these countries and the organization ensured that they would b

supported all the way through college or university.

As the new millennium arrived Ray learned of an area in South Afric

decimated by AIDS. In the Nkomazi region thousands of orphane

children had to fend for themselves and raise their brothers and si

ters. A Choir was formed from the area to raise awareness and secur

funding for the devastated region.

It was there in South Africa that a powerful new program was bor

based on the transformation seen in the Choir children in other cou

tries.

The rst Music for Life Center was established in South Africa to pro

vide benets to children not touring with the Choir. Music and danc

lessons, tutoring and nutrition were offered in a loving Christian env

ronment, and the program quickly became the greatest source of jo

in the lives of many children.

The organization has recently opened similar Centers in nine mor

locations in South Africa, as well as two in Kenya and two in Ugand

At these Centers, the children are nurtured into condent young me

and women, equipped with the skills and determination to improv

their communities and their nations.



Just as one boy’s song captured Ray’s imagination, the African Ch

dren’s Choir™ has stolen the hearts of people around the world.

Others have recognized that the children of the Choir vividly paint

positive vision for Africa’s future, and have brought their captivatin

smiles and talent to prestigious stages over the years.

The Choir has represented all of Africa’s children to Presidents an

royalty, at events like Live 8 and World AIDS Day, and to massive glob

audiences through TV programs and lm soundtracks.

In the West, the children’s music has brought hope and healing t

places like Ground Zero in New York and in Louisiana after Hurrican

Katrina. In Kenya, the children sang as brothers and sisters in a countr

divided by tribal tensions.

After 25 incredible years, not a day has passed without a Choir on tou

Thousands have been helped yet it is clear that the work of the Cho

is far from complete.

Every day in Africa, thousands more children are left vulnerable be

cause of AIDS, poverty, and war. Countless more lack access to clea

drinking water, proper nutrition, and education.

The children singing in the Choir—and the thousands they represent—

are the future leaders of Africa; educated men and women of stron

Christian faith and character, prepared to be the role-models for th

next generation.

Believe with us, join with us and help the African Children’s Choir™

continue to transform whole nations—one child at a time.

You too can be an “Auntie” or “Uncle”!Chaperone with the African Children’s Choir™

Download an application today at africanchildrenschoir.com/help/volunteer

[email protected] | 877-532-8651

*Chaperones commit to 12 months with the organization and should be at least 20 years old


The African Children’s Choir™ is actively seeking

Tour Chaperones to tour primarily within the United

States, Canada, or the United Kingdom.

This is an incredibly full ling way to impact children’s lives, and a travel

experience unlike any other!

Serve as an “Uncle” or “Auntie”, offering mentorship as a chaperone

and applying your practical skills in one of many roles: Administrator,

Teacher, Product Salesperson, Music Supervisor, Sound Technician, Bu

Driver, or even Tour Leader.



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across Africa

How You are Helping across Africa

With your support over the past 25 years, the African Children’s Choir™ has grown

into a much larger entity called Music for Life, bringing together the Choir and a

number of projects in Africa.

The African Children’s Choir™ remains the ambassadors for millions of vulnerable

children, bringing their stories and message of hope to the world.


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• Capital: Pretoria

• Population: 43.8 million

• GDP per Capita: $5,133 (2006)• Life Expectancy: 42.4 years

• HIV/ AIDS Infection: 5.7 million (2007)

MFL RESPONDS:• Focus on Nkomazi region devastated by HIV/AIDS and drought

• 10 Music for Life Centers offer music, dance, nutrition and life skills

• Music for Life Junior Academy – a boarding school for Choir children

• 3 Choir Tours from area

South Africa

• Capital: Khartoum


• GDP per Capita: $934 (2006)

• Life Expectancy: 50.3 years

• HIV/ AIDS Infection: 350,000– 600,000

MFL RESPONDS:• Operating 15 primary and 1 secondary schools

• Currently educating approximately 3500 children• Teachers’ Training College

• Skills Training Center and Mobile Medical Clinic

• Ongoing spiritual encouragement, leadership training and life skills

seminars, PTSD clinics, and relief shipments

• Ongoing partnerships with local organizations

Sudan

• Capital: Kampala




• HIV/ AIDS Infection: 940,000 (2007)

MFL RESPONDS:• First African Children’s Choir™ in 1984

• 100+ former Choir children sponsored in secondary schools

• 40+ former Choir children sponsored in colleges and universities

• Additional courses, workshops and camps offered during school breaks

• Volunteer teams host camps; provide additional education programs

and support

• Music for Life Centers offer music, dance, nutrition and life skills• 200 students sponsored at African Outreach Academy

• 200 students sponsored at 2 primary schools in Kampala slum

• 150+ former Choir children enrolled at African Children’s Choir™

Primary School

Uganda

• Capital: Kigali




• HIV/AIDS Infection: 150,000 (2007)

MFL RESPONDS:• 50+ students sponsored


and support

• Post-genocide counselling for PTSD and food and supply shipments

• Funding for community development projects

• Support for Gisimba Memorial Center

Rwanda

• Capital: Nairobi

• Population: 38.0 million• GDP per Capita: $650 (2006)


• HIV/AIDS Infection: 1.5 — 2.0 million (2007 est)

MFL RESPONDS:• 2nd highest number of children selected for Choir tours

• Ongoing mentorship and support for returning Choir children

• 75+ former Choir children supported


and support

• 2 Music for Life Centers offer dance, music and nutrition

Kenya

Nigeria Ghana• Capital: Abuja Accra

• Population: 138.3 million 23.4 million

• GDP per Capita: $917 (2006) $532 (2006)• Life Expectancy: 47.8 years 59.5 years

• HIV/AIDS Infection: 2.6 million (2007) 260,000(2007)

MFL RESPONDS:• Sponsorship of former Choir children in Secondary and Post-Secondary

school

• Ongoing support of King’s Kids Primary School in Nigeria

• Ongoing support of Living Stone Primary School in Ghana



Helping Africa’s most vulnerable children today…

The African Children’s Choir™ realized early on that education is the

key to long-term change in Africa and made this its primary focus. Why is education so important?

“Because you learn things,” says 11-year old Tony. “I have learned to

know how my ancestors lived so I know if I need to change it or not.”

The children know rst-hand just how difcult life is for those who do

not have an education. Families will sacrice food, shelter and medical

care to send their children to school.

“The children really value

school, and look at it as a privi-

lege,” says former Choir chap-

erone and teacher Jenny Kohl-

rus. “They value education and

know that it will change their lives and their countries.”

…so they can help

Africa tomorrow!

Joshua is a 10-year old from

Uganda and member of

the 31st African Children’s

Choir™. His time on tour has

opened up a whole new fu-

ture. Like all African children,

Joshua has the potential to

make a difference. He knows that by studying and learning,

his future is wide open, in spite of the circumstances he has come

from.

“When you nish studying you can help other people” he says. “Like

when their eyes are sick, you can help them.” Joshua would like to be

an Optometrist one day.

The Choir supports the education of thousands of underprivileged

children like Joshua, providing sponsorship for tuition and supplies. The

organization also operates a number of schools in Uganda, South Af-

rica and Southern Sudan.

Music for Life Primary School - Uganda

In 2001, Music for Life Primary School was built to provide a home fo

returning Choir children and to expand on the unique education thereceived while on tour.

Joshua is assured of his place at the boarding school where he will b

loved, cared for and supported as he reaches for his dreams.

Music for Life Primary School blends positive elements of both Wes

ern and African culture. While on tour the children have an amazin

range of personal experiences and their teachers hope the childre

can use those experiences t

make connections not on

with the way things are, b

also with the way things cou

be.

An example of one such con

nection is Moses, a membe

of the rst African Children

Choir™. While on tour Mose

admired the smooth road

comparing them to the po

holed roads near his hom

in Kampala. That time on tou

inspired Moses to study eng

neering and become a Chi

Engineer for the City of Kam

pala. When it came time t

build the school, Moses wa

contracted by the Africa

Children’s Choir™ to supevise construction.

Music for Life Primary School has since established itself as one o

the top schools in Kampala. Academically, students consistently achiev

some of the highest National exam marks; members of the schoo

Mathematical Society have won competitions; and one student is eve

a prize-winning artist.

The school’s champion soccer and volleyball teams are a force to b

reckoned with but always impressing Headmaster Mark Williams an

their coaches with their outstanding sportsmanship.

off to

schoolHow would your life be different if you had never been to school? Would you hav

the same job? The same home? In the West, attending school is a requirement. In Africa it is

privilege, one that thousands of children miss out on because they are too poor. Yet around the world

education is seen as the key to ending poverty. Even the most basic reading, writing, and math skills ca

lead to jobs that can earn money for food, clothing, and medical care.




Get your feet wet. Combining classroom teaching, guest speakers, and

hands-on practical experience in the eld, participants of all ages will

learn, live, and serve within Music for Life’s projects and their

surrounding communities. You will be matched up with one local

student, for a full learning experience! This is truly a taste of what it is

like living and working in the Relief and Development eld!

*Applicants must be at 18 yrs old, willing to cover/raise all costs for the

program, and have a heart for learning. Each course is split into 2 modules,

each lasting 4 weeks. You may do one or both modules

See for yourself.

Relief andDevelopment Course

WHAT’S ITREALLY LIKE

IN AFRICA?LIVING, BREATHING & HELPING

Experience Africa, and help some of Africa’s most vulnerable.

Be part of:

• Children’s Ministry & Day-camps

• Educational development, practicum course work • Construction/renovation projects

With your team of 6-12, you will enjoy community visits, project

visits, and an optional safari experience. Help give children acros

Africa an experience they would otherwise go without!

Enquire Today!

Change lives; it might even change you

Apply with your team today! Please enquire for dates, costapplication requirements, and availability.

877-532-8651

[email protected]

africanchildrenschoir.com/help/volunteer

You and your team can go to Afr

PRACTICUM

COURSE

CAMP TEAMS

EDUCATIONAL

DEVELOPMENT

WORK CREWS

CAMP TEAMS

Relief and Development

Course/Practicum

Nairobi , KENYA

May-June 2010

June-July 2010

4 or 8 week opportunities.

Enquire for further details: 877-532-8651

E N RO LLN O W !




Music and dance can forever alter a life. The joy witnessed in each

member of the African Children’s Choir™ is evidence that song and

dance can transcend life’s difculties and minister to the spirit.

This belief led Music for Life to present an after-school program to

share Christ’s love based on the Choir model to local communities

across Africa.

Called Music for Life Centers, the program offers similar opportunities

for growth to children beyond the Choir, in some of Africa’s most des-

perate situations. The mission of the Music for Life Centers is simple

but powerful; “To uplift, inspire and empower children through involve-

ment in Music and Dance, and the Performing Arts as a whole.”

Music for Life Centers partner with local schools to purposefully select

approximately 50 of the most vulnerable children to participate in this

extra-curricular program. Exposure to the performing arts has proven

to be the catalyst for signicant changes in their young lives.

Music for Life began its work in 2002 in the Nkomazi region of South

Africa, an area devastated by unemployment, drought, AIDS and HIV.

The vision to bring the Choir model to this devastated area became

reality in 2006 when three Centers were established, each week pro-

viding the oppor tunity for singing, dancing and life skills training.

The musical aspect alone has been excellent in facilitating develop-ment in areas such as listening skills, memory retention, teamwork and

goal setting. In addition to ministering to the children’s educational,

emotional, and spiritual needs, snacks and/or lunches are provided with

each session, sometimes the only food a child will eat that day.

The results of this project are tangible. Di Babb, Operations Manager

in South Africa, shares the story of one boy named Sipho. In his eight

short years, Sipho has lost all four of his siblings, his mother, and is left

in the care of his alcoholic father. Local school staff, recognizing Sipho’s

dire situation, collaborated with Music for Life to have him admitted

into Music for Life Center program.

With staff fostering a safe and trusting relationship with him, Sipho wasable to open up about his home situation. The change in his counte-

nance is visible. Di Babb now reports, “It is obvious he feels loved and

cared for in a way he’s never before experienced.”

It is for children like Sipho that this program exists. Involvement in the

performing arts - within a stimulating and caring environment - af-

rms basic rights, infuses self-esteem, and builds life skills. The personal

changes are undeniable; workers and school administrators bear wit-

ness to heightened condence, focus in class, and most importantly,

smiles on faces that once had none!

“With the MFL group going to the schools every week, it is obviou

that the children have learned songs, dances and l ife skills,” says Eunic

Odieo, a former Choir member, now a Center volunteer. “The childre

are very keen and always ready to learn new things.”

Each term culminates in a scheduled performance for friends and fam

ily, giving these children another opportunity to shine and build fait

in themselves!

In just four years the growth has been astonishing. Music for Life is no

privileged to serve 10 schools weekly in South Africa. The prograalso includes additional Centers in Kenya and Uganda, modied only t

remain culturally relevant. All have met with the same positive result

The desire to ensure each individual child’s emotional, social an

spiritual needs are met is promoting positive development in eac

community. Relationships and personal contact with the most vulne

able children have opened the door to help meet many families’ mo

pressing needs by providing food and medical care.

In keeping with Music for Life’s mission of “helping Africa’s most vulneable today, so they can help Africa tomorrow”, many young adults wh

have been helped by Music for Life are also involved, leading the classe

and mentoring to the younger children. No one can understand the

children better than those who have shared their history.

David Kanyosya is one such former Choir member who now wor

for Music for Life in Kenya. “The children have opened up to the youn

adults since they feel associated to them,” he says. “Some of them hav

lived in the same neighborhoods and have experienced and lived sim

lar lives before they joined Music for Life. This has enabled the leade

to counsel and give hope to the children in a more personal level an

as a result enriching the value of MFL programs.”

Mwai Githinji, the Kenya Ofce Administrator says, “with so muc

praise from the school administration and the children too, our youn

adults are more than zealous to reach out to many other children an

see their lives changed and transformed for good.”

The added dimension of having the older teach the younger is a bles

ing, creating a beautiful cycle unique to Music for Life that ripples ou

ward even as it comes full circle. The Music for Life Centers fulll th

original hope of the organization: helping Africa’s most vulnerable to

day, so they can help Africa tomorrow. “We hope that we would hav

put a ray of hope for the little children’s hearts”, says Eunice, “and giv

them hope for a better future.”

Centers across Africa




The temporary solution was to house and school students in the

lower grades at a satellite campus approximately 20 minutes away. The

Choirs in training were at yet a third facility.

Construction began to build a new, upgraded education facility on

a 15-acre parcel of land near Entebbe, on the

shores of Lake Victoria.

The children moved in and began classes at the

new facility in February 2010. The children are

enjoying the wide open spaces, larger classroomsand expanded programs. Everyone at the school

agrees that the lakeside location is amazing and

the sunrise is beautiful!

When the children were asked what they thought

of the new school, two boys quickly spoke about

seeing two crested cranes ying overhead. This

was the rst time the children had ever seen the

national bird of Uganda!

The school facility is not nished yet, but the chil-

dren enjoy seeing the progress of the building

projects and watching how everything is put together.

The campus currently has space to house up to 200 students, wit

potential to expand. Additional staff and guest housing will be built o

site and a new Choir Training Center will allow children to continu

their classes with their peers. The Assembly Ha

and Amphitheater will provide a meeting plac

for students and the community. A full socce

pitch will accommodate the school’s champion

ship soccer teams.

The campus will also have a garden to he

with science lessons and to provide some o

the school’s food needs. Landscaping has bee

designed with lots of open spaces for play, an

other spaces for quiet reection or study.

Funding is still needed to complete the din

ing hall, staff housing and administrative ofce

and complete Phase One of the building cam

paign. Your generosity will open the doors to

brighter future for Africa’s vulnerable childre

Donate now!

AFRICANCHILDREN’SCHOIR™ PRIMARY SCHOOCAPITAL CAMPAIGN

To donate to the school’s capital campaign, please call 877-532-8651 or visit www.africanchildrenschoir.com

The success of the African Children’s Choir ™ created a happy dilemma; the Music for Life Prima

School campus was overfowing with 150 students enrolled at a facility originally built for 90!



http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/african-childrens-choir-magazine-q1-2010-choir-34 19/20africanchildrenschoir.com

I WOULD like tosupport the work

of the ChoirFor a tax receipt, please ensure that you provide your mailing address

Name: ________________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________

City: __________________________________________________

State/Province: ___________________ Post/Zip Code: _________

Email: _________________________________________________

Phone: ________________________________________________

Please accept my One-time Monthly gift of $ ___________

To support:

Choir Child Sponsorship ($50/$100/$200 per month)

Sponsorship ($35 per month)

African Children’s Choir™ Primary School

Music for Life Centers

Other (Please specify): _________________________________

Payments will be taken on the 15th (credit card) or 18th (direct debit) of each month

stand that I may revoke this authorization at any time by providing 15 days notice.

Signature: ______________________________________________

My check payable to “Music for Life” is enclosed.

Debit my bank account (void check enclosed)

Debit my credit card

Name of Card Holder: ___________________________________

Card Number: _________________________________________

Expiry Date _______ /_______

Mail to:

United States PO Box 29690, Bellingham, WA 98228

Canada PO Box 3100, Langley, BC V3A 4R 3

Corresponding via email lowers administration costs. We will not share or sell your ema

Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law. Tax receipts for donations under $15

issued by request only.

For more information:

t: 877-532-8651

e: [email protected]

w: africanchildrenschoir.com/help/volunteer

C34MAG


ponsorship is an ongoing monthly commitment.

ign up now for automatic payments from your bank account or credit card.

I was a member o f the

A f r ican Childr en’s Choir ™.

Thank s to m y sponsor s I ha ve

gr adua ted f r om high school

and am wai ting

to s tar t univer si t y.

Sponsor a Choir

member lik e the

ones you see on

s tage toda y, and

help themachie ve

their dr eams too.

Sign Up Now!

The cost to support a child in a community school is $35 per

month. Your monthly commitment provides school fees, sup-

plies, uniforms and lunch for your child intil he or she has com-

pleted secondary school.

My f amily is v er y poor . Bef or e Music f or Lif e I w as not in school. My sponsor s pay f or me to g o to school. My f utur e w ill be better just lik e all the other childr en w ho g o to school. Y ou can help another child lik e me g o to school too.

The full cost to support a Choir child is $200 per month. Your

$50 per month helps provide complete care at a boarding school

until your child has completed post-secondary school.

Sponsor a member of theAfrican Children’s Choir ™

Sponsor a child

Establish a long-termrelationship with a special child



African Children’s Choir™ Music CD’s & DVD

Title: Qty USA/Canada

Gospel with Friends _____ $15.00

Still Walking in the Light _____ $15.00

Because You Loved Me _____ $15.00

Devotion _____ $15.00

t Takes a Whole Village _____ $15.00

Still Walking in the Light (DVD) _____ $20.00

Teach Me To Dance (DVD) _____ $20.00

T-shirts

Adults - S M L XL XXL _____ $20.00

Child - Sm Med Lg _____ $15.00(6-8) (10-12)(14-16)

Subtotal __________

Shipping & Handling add 10% __________

Total __________

Name: ___________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________

City: _____________________________________________________

State/Province: ___________________ Post/Zip Code: ____________

Email: ____________________________________________________

Corresponding via email lowers administration costs. We will not share or sell your email address.

Phone: ___________________________________________________

Method of Payment:

Visa Master Card AMEX Other

Check made payable to “Music for Life”

Card Number ___________________________ Expiry Date ___ / ___

Name on Card: ____________________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________________

Mail your order form to:

United States: PO Box 29690, Bellingham, WA 98228-1690

Canada: PO Box 3100, Langley, BC V3A 4R3

Take the Choir Gospel With Friends:The Choir’s latest album, high-

lighting some of the Choir’s

favourite gospel classics and

performances with special

friends such as Michael W. Smith and

Jars of Clay

It Takes A Whole Village:

A rich compilation of 17 tracks featur-ing many traditional African songs as

well as a few English favourites, taking

you on an authentic African experi-

ence as you hear and feel the beats o

various African cultures

Still Walking in the Light:A live recording of the Choir’s 15th

Anniversary Celebrations. A time-

honored collection featuring the

Choir’s all-time classics such as “O

Happy Day” and “This Little Light of

Mine” (Also available in DVD)

Devotion:Share with the Choir’s daily time of

praise and worship in this balanced

mix of both energetic and easy-lis-

tening contemporary Christian praise

songs

Because You Loved Me:A collection of the Choir’s most

popular songs, such as “Highway to

Heaven” and “Seed to Sow”, including

the popular title track “Because You

Loved Me”

T-Shirt:Show your support for the Choir

by wearing one of these high quality

T-Shirts, with our vibrant, eye-catching

logo on the front. Available in both

child and adult sizes

Teach Me To Dance:A live recording of the Choir’s 20th

Anniversary Celebrations at Vancou-

ver’s prestigious Orpheum Theatre.

See the color, energy, and sounds of

the Choir and other special perform-

ers, including the Vancouver Symphon

Orchestra. Filmed in widescreen and

5.1 Dolby Surround Sound

home with YOU!

african children's choir magazine q1-2010 choir 34

Documents