Members of the Watoto Children’s Choir will entertain Brimbank residents this month with electrifying performances throughout the municipality. 85067 Picture: CONTRIBUTED
By NATALIE GALLENTI
BRIMBANK residents can enjoy the delightful sounds of the Watoto Children’s Choir this month as the roving performers take to the stage as part of their latest tour, Beautiful Africa: A New Generation.
The children’s choir is made up of African children who have been orphaned or abandoned. The members live in the Watoto Children’s Villages where they receive care from other families.
Tour leader Robert Sendegeya said this latest tour is all about hope. Mr Sendegeya said with vibrant, original African music, dance routines and life-transforming stories, the tour is indicative of the new generation of leaders emerging out of Watoto.
“It’s a new production that has never been seen before in Australia and New Zealand. We are looking forward to people seeing the beauty of Africa, sharing our stories and impacting audiences with God’s message of love,” he said.
Watoto Childcare Ministries spokesperson Ruth Mitchell said the choir offers children who have lost everything the chance to feel part of a family and boost their confidence.
“There is a real sense of belonging, of being important. The love they receive is amazing,” Ms Mitchell said.
Presently there are almost 3000 children in care and over 1000 children have performed as part of the choir. Watoto’s goal is to have 10,000 children cared for by 2023.
Watoto villages consist of homes for the children, a school, medical clinic, community centre, and an agricultural project. Each home accommodates eight children and a house mother.
The choir will be performing on 12 August at Grow Church, 95 Alfrieda St, St Albans, and on 18 August at the Brimbank Anglican Church from 5pm.
