african children's choir uk 2012 magazine

Become a Friend of the Choir Pg. 4

When I Grow Up Pg. 6

Volunteer with the Choir Pg. 12

Giving Back Pg. 8

On Her Majesty’s ServiceHear the story behind the Choir’s appearance at the Diamond Jubilee concert.

EDITORIAL TEAMExecutive Editors: Ray Barnett, Suzanne NelsonEditors: Dawna HodginsCover Photo: Craig Peters Content Contribution: Dawna HodginsPhotographic Contribution: Tina Devries, Sally France, Kyle Healy, Nicolas Koole, Sean Mathis, Jeremy Moore, Alex Palmer, Craig Peters, Jenny Prickett, Tamsin Scurfield, Victor Thiessen, Paul YatesDesign and Layout: Mike Thorpe

CONTACT USUnited KingdomAdmin Office, Music for Life, PO Box 412,

Lisburn BT28 9EB

T 028 9266 6611 F 028 9266 6601

E [email protected]

W africanchildrenschoir.com

Music for Life is a registered charitable organisation 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.

Charity Registration Number 1090556

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A3Across Africa

4Become a Friend of the Choir

6When I grow up

8Giving Back

10On Her Majesty’s Service

12Tour with the Choir

14-15Support the work of the Choir

16Take the Choir home with you!

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Helping Africa’s most vulnerable

children today,

… this is the vision of the African Children’s Choir and Music for Life programmes across Africa.

Here is what your support has done and is doing continent-wide:

Since 1984 over 1,000 children have toured as part of the Choir and hundreds of thousands of children and families have been aided in some way by Music for Life. Many of the children from the early years of the Choir are giving back and making a difference to their communities and many are mentoring the younger children, each ensuring that the cycle continues.

Young adults mentioned throughout this magazine were once children with very little hope. Each is now able to contribute to society in a positive way.

Jane has invented a device that will help ease the workload for farmers; Francoise is able to help her grandmother improve her living conditions and Daniel is a leader among his classmates at the African Children’s Choir Primary School.

The newest Choir members have their own hopes and dreams and you can help inspire, encourage and support these children by making a donation, sponsoring a specific child, or hosting a concert in your community.

In 2006, a UN AIDS report estimated that there were 12 million children orphaned by AIDS in Africa. Since then, the number has risen to an unthinkable level. The African Children’s Choir is a voice for the millions of vulnerable children back home in Africa. We want to raise awareness and be God’s hand extended to hurting children in Africa who desperately require our loving support.

Tonight is an opportunity for YOU to help Africa’s most vulnerable children today, so they can help Africa tomorrow.

For the children,

so they can help Africa tomorrow

SOUTH SUDAN• Bright Star Academy, a secondary

boarding school, provides quality education for hundreds of teens and adults

• Kajo Keji Teachers Training College providing skills training, rebuillding the local school system

• Rural Clinic, offering much needed medical relief

RWANDA• 20 Choir children supported in

secondary and post-secondary supported with additional camps, workshops and mentorship

• Support for Gisimba Orphange

SOUTH AFRICA• Music for Life Junior Academy

provides quality education for children returning from tour.

• Choir children sponsored in secondary and post secondary school supported with additional camps, workshops and mentorship

KENYA• 90+ Choir children sponsored in

primary, secondary and post-secondary school supported with additional camps and mentorship

• 2 Music for Life Centres offering music, dance, and life-skills

• Relief and Development Course offered to western and African participants

UGANDA• Choir Training Academy where new

Choir children are trained• The African Children’s Choir Primary

School provides quality education for Choir children returning from tour

• 150+ Choir children sponsored in secondary schools supported with additional camps, workshops, and mentorship

• 40+ former Choir children sponsored in colleges/universities

• Sponsorship of 2 literacy schools, serving 500+ young students in Kampala slums

• 5 Music for Life Centres offering music, dance, nutrition and life-skills

• Sponsorship of children in 3 primary schools established by MFL

• Sponsorship of additional secondary school children

GHANA & NIGERIA• 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

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Find the Choir ONLINE

Help develop the CHANGEMAKERS and futureleaders of tomorrow.Friend of the Choir is a monthly giving programme where you can choose a monthly pledge amount to partner with the African Children’s Choir financially and help us meet needs where help is needed most. The proceeds from the Friend of the Choir programme help children in Africa in several key ways:

To be a voice representing the voiceless needy children in Africa. The African Children’s Choir is more than a just a touring choir ; we represent and support thousands of vulnerable children in Africa. The touring choir creates awareness and communicates the needs of many through music, dance and testimonies. Friend of the Choir funding helps our children continue to represent vulnerable children by covering expenses related to our touring programme including:

· Choir Selection, choir training and touring costs;

· Clothing, food;

· Medical, household supplies, travel expenses.

Make a difference in African communities that need the most helpThe African Children’s Choir operates field programmes that promote education and spiritual development for children and communities. Since we were founded in 1984, we have established education and training programmes in some of the most war torn and under developed areas of Africa. We have served generations of young men and women that would have otherwise been lost in the wake of destruction, famine and poverty. Friend of the Choir funding helps in areas that need the most help.

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Become a Friend of the Choir· Training programmes, education supplies

and staffing

· Textbooks, classroom materials,

· Medical, household supplies and travel expenses

Develop future leaders in AfricaThe African Children’s Choir supports the spiritual and educational development of thousands of children and young adults from some of the most needy and vulnerable situations in Africa. Our support continues well after our children return from tour and extends to those who don’t get the opportunity to be part of a touring choir. We provide education, counselling and medical assistance for our children through their primary, secondary and higher education development.

· Leadership development training

· Specialised Camps

· Workshops, Skills Training and Counselling

What do Friend of the Choir sponsors get:· Welcome letter from our founder;

· Welcome gifts (Signed Photo of Jubilee Choir and CD)

· Quarterly Photo and Video Gallery

· Free African Children’s Choir songs sent via email

· Regular updates and concert itineraries from choir tours and field programmes in Africa

· A photo of any new choirs

· Annual online yearbook from the African

Children’s Choir Primary School.

If you wish to become a Friend of the Choir sponsor please fill in the Direct Debit Form and Gift Aid Form (if you are a taxpayer) on page 14.

are proud to support the African Children’s Choir Tour

Visit stagecoachbus.com for service updates and timetable information.

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African Childrens Choir 12.eps 30/08/2012 17:33:08

Would you like to host a cultural event in your church filled with brilliant colour, exuberant joy, spirited song and dance, heart touching stories of rescue and transformation with children from East Africa. Does your church seat 450 people or more? Can you host the children and chaperones two/three nights with church families? If the answer is yes please contact our Choir Admin office: 028 9266 6611.

How you can help Leave a legacyConsider giving a legacy to Music for Life Academy (parent body of the African Children’s Choir) when making provision of a will for your family. Every kind of gift is hugely appreciated no matter how small and can make a big difference in the lives of children in Africa. If you’re making a will for the first time, all you need to do is give your solicitor our registered address and charity number. Please contact our office for further information: Tel 028 9266 6611 Email [email protected]

Fundraising for the Choir• Host a coffee morning with your family

and friends.

• Organise a bag pack in your local supermarket or collection day in your town centre or shopping centre.

• Seek sponsorship from friends for a marathon or fun run.

• Ask your local garage or convenience store to allow you to display a collection box at their till points.

Music for Life Academy is registered with ‘Just Giving’, ‘Virgin money giving’ and ‘My Donate’. You can set up your own fundraising pages here and we would be delighted to assist you. Please contact: Tel 028 9266 6611 or Email [email protected]

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/giving/www.btplc.com/mydonate/

www.justgiving.com/africanchildrenschoir/donate

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My name is Brian. When I

grow up, I want to be a pilot.

In poverty stricken villages and slums, dreams most often do not survive the daily hardships that come with living in extreme poverty.

Members of the African Children’s Choir and children in Music for Life Centres are exposed to new ideas through the people they meet. Chaperones, host families, volunteers and many others introduce experiences that open up a whole different world of dreams.

Joshua is 8 years old and is also travelling with Tour 38. When he grows up he would like to be a cardiologist.

Before coming on tour, the word “cardiologist” would have been beyond Joshua’s vocabulary. But now, not only is becoming a cardiologist a new idea, it is also a possibility!

Brivett wishes to be a vet so he can help animals. Brian wishes to become a pilot so he can help people travel to another country, and Sarah wishes to be a teacher.

Like most children, these dreams may change. But no matter what these dreams eventually become, each child will receive the support and education to make it happen.

As members of the African Children’s Choir Tour 38, Angel, Joshua, Brivett, Sarah and Brian will have a chance to achieve their dreams. Music for Life will ensure their education until they have completed post-secondary school.

They will also receive love and encouragement from their sponsors.

As part of the Music for Life family, thousands of other children who are not part of the Choir will have a chance for a quality education, and will have goals, dreams and the chance to change Africa and the world.

And after all, no matter where you live in the world, there can never be too many nurses, cardiologists, veterinarians, pilots or teachers!

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My name is Brivett. When I grow up, I want

to be a vet.

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My name is Sarah. When I

grow up, I want to be a teacher.

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Nine year old Angel is from Uganda, where she lives with her parents, a brother and two sisters. Her favourite subjects in school are Math, English, Reading and Writing. When Angel grows up she wants to be a nurse.

What did you want to be when you grew up?”

For some children the dream constantly changes, and what they become as adults is far different than their childhood dreams. For others a passion ignited at a young age lasts through adulthood.

Helping Africa’s most

vulnerable children today…

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Above: Angel is a member of the 38th African Children’s Choir. She will be enrolled at the ACC Primary School in Entebbe to begin discovering her dream of becoming a nurse.

When you know that someone believes in you, great things can happen; a small amount of encouragement and support can make a huge difference.

Over the years Music for Life has witnessed incredible changes in the children. Once self-conscious and shy, the children blossom becoming leaders among their peers.

Herbert has just finished Secondary School in Luwero.

Life has not been easy for Herbert. He grew up with just his mother to raise him. In 2006 Herbert was in an accident and has had two operations on his legs. He has since been diagnosed with arthritis in his knees.

But in spite of the challenges, Herbert is a natural leader and mentor to his peers.

When giving testimonies, many other students will refer to something that Herbert said or did that helped them.

During several of his holidays at secondary school Herbert organised community work projects for his fellow students to give back to their community.

Some of Herbert’s projects have included building a house for an old man, cleaning up the garbage in the slums, and

raising money to buy food for a babies’ home.

Herbert’s mind is always active and thinking up new ideas. He has just started a networking group for students from his former school. The hope is to connect both socially and professionally.

Douglas took part in the auto mechanics after-school club while he was at the African Children’s Choir Primary School last year.

During one of his school holidays Douglas was excited to report that he was able to use

what he learned, and helped his brother-in-law with a flat tyre.

The man was hesitant, seeing that this was just a young boy, but Douglas insisted he could help.

“My brother-in-law was so surprised because there are big people who can’t do that,” said Douglas. “It was a skill

I learned in just two days.” Not long after, the man drove happily

away on his newly installed spare

tyre!

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...So they can help Africa tomorrow.

Douglas practicing with the auto

mechanics after-school club

Francoise is an orphan living with her Grandmother and sister in a village two hours from Kigali. She lives with an aunt who has two small children, and an uncle who is also still in secondary school.

Francoise is a hard working girl and excels at school. In addition to doing well academically – she recently won a partial scholarship for her school fees – Francoise also leads in the school’s Devotions and is the Deputy Head Girl.

To give back some of the love and support that her grandmother has given her, Francoise has saved hard and had electric lights installed into her grandmother’s house. Her next idea is to buy cement for a proper floor.

Jane invented an award-winning machine that will give back to her community farmers!

Jane and another student created a self-operating cattle feeder for their Science Congress project. The cattle feeder only needs one person to fill it once in the morning and the feeder self- operates throughout the day. This leaves the farmers with enough time to attend to other chores and activities.

The project won the top award at the National Level.

Jane would like to be an architect and build a children’s home where disadvantaged children would receive education, love, food, play and be nurtured both physically, mentally and spiritually “just as I was in the African Children’s Choir”.

These youth used to feel only the bleak despair that comes from living in extreme poverty; once hopeless and despondent, they are now thriving.

They are proud to be leaders in their schools. Their confidence and self-worth increases when they are able to use their skills to give back and make a difference for others.

Jane and her award-winning cattle feeder

Francoise and her grandmother

GIVING BACK

My dream... to one day be an architect and build a home for disadvantaged children.

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Diamond Jubilee ConcertSo what do you get when you put 12 Ugandan children, and eight Kenyan children, from six different African Children’s Choir choirs together for a week? A whole lot of laughter, soccer games, amazing dance moves, complicated drum patterns and beautiful music!

In March this year Music for Life were approached by a production company working with Gary Barlow and Andrew Lloyd Webber to commission a song for the Diamond Jubilee concert on 4 June 2012.

Twenty members of the African Children’s Choir gathered in Kenya for a week of rehearsals. The children spent several days together learning and rehearsing a special song written by Gary Barlow and Andrew Lloyd Webber. The song was entitled ‘Sing’, and was written specifically for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebration.

The children headed out to the Ngong Hills (west of Nairobi) for a full day of recording. They were heavily featured in the BBC documentary ‘On Her Majesty’s Service’. The programme featuring Gary Barlow on his

travels in the Commonwealth, as he recruited people to help him record this special song for the Queen. The children were interviewed and performed two of their own African songs as a part of this documentary. Gary was impressed with one of our Choir member’s Lydia, and the decision was made that her voice would open and close the Jubilee song.

So you can imagine our delight when the BBC contacted Music for Life again, but this time to ask if the children who sang the ‘Sing’ song could come to London and perform outside Buckingham Palace live for the Queen! With much assistance from the BBC this small group found themselves centre stage at the Diamond Jubilee Concert with thousands of spectators on The Mall and millions viewing via their television.

You could have heard a pin drop when Lydia sang the opening line of Gary’s song and with the assistance of the Commonwealth band and Military Wives they brought the house down.

“I was a bit nervous,” Lydia admits. “But the main emotion was excitement. I have never sung in front of so many people before. And, of

course to stand, in front of the Queen was so special. Afterwards I got to meet her and she was very gentle and kind.”

Considering that the children in the African Children’s Choir come from the poorest and most marginalised communities in Africa, the opportunity to travel to Buckingham Palace and perform for Her Majesty is like a fairy tale come true for these children,” said Sally France, Director of Africa Operations in Uganda. “We are genuinely honoured that our children were selected to sing and participate in this incredible opportunity.”

“I have never sung in front of so many people before. And, of course to stand, in front of the Queen was so special.”


IT TAKES A WHOLE VILLAGE.

VOLUNTEERChaperone on TourAn experience unlike any other! You can join the African Children’s Choir Tour! Travel throughout the USA, Canada, or even parts of Europe as one in a team of caregivers and tour staff. Special Roles needed: Tour Leader, Sound Tech, Music Supervisor, Teacher, and Bus Driver

Travel to AfricaMusic for Life Teams are headed to Uganda, Kenya, or South Africa, to facilitate work projects or day camps for underprivileged children. Your team of six to 12 will enjoy community involvement, site visits, comfortable accomodations, and an optional safari experience!

africanchildrenschoir.com/volunteer 028 9266 6611 [email protected]

VOLUNTEERWITH THE CHOIR


Get your feet wet.

Combining classroom teaching, guest speakers, and hands-on practical experience in the field, 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 local students for a full learning experience!

This is truly a taste of what it is like living and working in the Relief and Development field!

*Applicants must be 18 yrs old at time of travel, will-ing to be responsible for all program costs, and have a heart for learning.

Course ScheduleNAIROBI, KENYA4 weeks June/July 2013

Relief & Development COURSE

africanchildrenschoir.com/help028 9266 6611

[email protected]

GET YOUR FEET WET.YOU WON’T KNOW UNLESS YOU

“Could I really study overseas?”

“Is international development for me?”“I think Africa’s where I should be.”

WHAT’S IT

REALLY LIKE

IN AFRICA?LIVING & LEARNING

ENROLLNOW!


YES I want to support the work

of the Choir

MAG-2012

I would like to Donate today!

Please accept my special gift to support:

Child School Fees

Music for Life Centres across Africa

African Children’s Choir™ Primary School

Other (please specify): ___________________________________

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

Debit my credit card:

Card Holder: ____________________________________________

Card Number: ________ / ________ / ________ / ________

Expiry Date: _______ / _______

Start Date: _______ / _______

Signature: ______________________________________________

Name: ________________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________

______________________________________________________

__________________________________ Post Code: ____________

Phone: _________________________________________________

Email: __________________________________________________Corresponding via email lowers administration costs. We will not share or sell your

email address.

Mail to: Music for LifeP O Box 412LisburnBT28 9EB

For more information:

t: 028 9266 6611 f: Fax 028 9266 6601

e: [email protected] w: africanchildrenschoir.com

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Reference

Instruction to your bank or building societyPlease pay MUSIC FOR LIFE ACADEMY Direct Debits from the account detailed in this instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this instruction may remain with MUSIC FOR LIFE ACADEMY and, if so, details will be passed electronically to my bank/building society.

Banks and building societies may not accept Direct Debit instructions for some types of account.

Name(s) of account holder(s)

Bank/building society account number

Branch sort code

Service user number

2 5 2 1 6 8

Please fill in the whole form including official use box using a ball point pen and send it to:

Music for Life, P O Box 412, Lisburn BT28 9EB

Instruction to your bank or building society to pay by Direct Debit

FOR MUSIC FOR LIFE ACADEMY OFFICIAL USE ONLYThis is not part of the instruction to your bank or building society

Signature(s)

Date

Name and full postal address of your bank or building society

To: The Manager

Address

Post code

Bank/building society

The Direct Debit Guarantee• This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay Direct Debits.

• If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit MUSIC FOR LIFE ACADEMY will notify you 10 working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If you request MUSIC FOR LIFE ACADEMY to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request.

• If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit, by MUSIC FOR LIFE ACADEMY or your bank or building society you are entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society.

– If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when MUSIC FOR LIFE ACADEMY asks you to.

You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society. Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify us.

This guarantee should be detached and retained by the payer.

I would like to become a Friend of the ChoirName:Address: Postcode:Email: Phone:

Please add my email address to the African Children’s Choir newsletter “Between Friends” mailing list, ensuring my information wil only be used by your organisation.

Please accept my monthly gift of:

£15 £20 £30 Other £___________

Gift Aid Declaration

I wish Music for Life to treat

the enclosed donation of £____________ as a Gift Aid Donation

all donations I make from the date of this declaration until I notify you otherwise as Gift Aid Donations

delete as appropriate

Signed _________________________________

Date _________________

Notes

1. You must pay an amount of tax (either Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax) equal to the amount of tax reclaimed by Music for Life on your donation. Music for Life will reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 you give on or after 6 April 2008

2. If you pay tax at the higher rate you can claim further tax relief on your donations in your Self Assessment tax return.

3. If this declaration covers donations you may make in the future you:

a) may cancel it any time

b) must notify Music for Life of any change of address

c) must notify Music for Life if you cease to be a taxpayer, or cease to pay enough tax to cover the amount reclaimed by Music for Life

Charity Registration Number 1090556 Company Registration Number 4202335

AFRICANCHILDREN’SCHOIR™ MERCHANDISE

Music CDs & DVDsTITLE QTY £Africa’s Heartbeat £12Gospel with Friends £12Still Walking in the Light £12Because You Loved Me £12Devotion £12It Takes a Whole Village £12Still Walking in the Light (DVD) £15Teach Me to Dance (DVD) £15

T-SHIRTs (circle selection)

ADULT S M L XL £10CHILD Ages 7-11 £10

TAKE the Choirhome with YOU!

Method of Payment:

Cheque made payable to “Music for Life”

Visa Master Card AMEX Other: ___________________

Card Holder: _______________________________________________

Card Number: _________ / _________ / _________ / _________

Expiry Date: ________ / _____________

Signature: __________________________________________________

Teach Me To DanceA live recording of the Choir’s 20th Anniversary Celebration at Vancouver’s prestigious Orpheum Theatre. See the colour, energy, and sounds of the Choir and other special performers, including the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Filmed in widescreen and 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound

Gospel With FriendsA highlight of 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 VillageA rich compilation of 17 tradi-tional African songs and a few English favourites, taking you on an authentic African experience through the beats of various African cultures

Still Walking in the LightA live recording of the Choir’s 15th Anniversary Celebration. A time-honored collection featuring all-time classics such as “O Happy Day” and “This Little Light of Mine” (Also in DVD)

Devotion:Share with the Choir’s daily time of praise and worship in this balanced mix of both energetic and easy-listening contemporary Christian praise songs

Because You Loved MeA 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”

CD

sD

VD

s

Name: _____________________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

_____________________________________ Post Code: ____________

Phone: _____________________________________________________

Email: ______________________________________________________

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

Mail your order form to:Admin office, Music for Life, PO Box 412, Lisburn BT28 9EB

Or contact us att: 028 9266 6611 f: 028 9266 6601 e: [email protected]

Subtotal

Shipping & Handling add 10%

Total

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Or Call to Order:028 9266 6611

Africa’s HeartbeatA programme of song and dance was created that truly expresses the cultures of the African Chil-dren’s Choirs from their different parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Leading Belgian composer and conductor Dirk Brosse wrote and arranged the orchestral music.

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african children's choir uk 2012 magazine

Documents