Helping Africa one concert at a time

Each year, for more than 20 years, new choirs are selected to go on tour and the children from the previous year return to their country to go to school. Their education is financed entirely by the African Children's Choir.

"Our goal is to educate and raise their spirits,” explains Kari Trieb, in charge of Choir’s tour in North America. “It is an experience which inspires them and traveling is beneficial, enabling them to practice their English."

"I like to dance and sing songs from my country," said Rita, 11, adding with frankness that the principal difference between Uganda and North America is "that it is much less hot here."

The aim of these choirs, spread out a little everywhere in Western countries, is also to help the most vulnerable children of Africa so that they help their country later on. "In the beginnings of the choir, a young member had been impressed by the state of the roads and infrastructures in North America,” said Trieb. “Today, he is an engineer and works to build roads in his country."

The director of the tour came to know the group by the means of a concert, similar to that which the group will perform next Friday. "I was a professor of music and I wanted to take part in this beautiful project," added Trieb.

The African Children's Choir has existed for more than 20 years and was founded by humanitarian worker Ray Barnett, who was sensitive to the cause of orphan children. "It is really an extraordinary initiative,” according to Trieb. “We are exposed to various cultures and these children are so grateful for all that we offer to them."

The small singers have charmed the hearts of Bono, Paul McCartney and others, in addition to taking part in the soundtrack for the film "Blood Diamond."