Music for Life

Centers

Across Africa

Off to
School
Celebrating
25 Years!

HELPING AFRICA’S
most vulnerable
CHILDREN today, so they can help
Printed in Canada AFRICA tomorrow
FOUNDER’S

2009
2 Welcome
WORD
It has been 25 years since the first African Children’s
3 Across Africa
Choir began their tour.

In that time, hundreds of children have performed 5

around the world and thousands more have been given 25 Years
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
finished when the first tour ended.
9 Timeline

contents
Millions of children and their families are still living in 10
deplorable conditions. They lack food and water. They
lack proper medical care. They lack the tools and skills
Off to School
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
13
assistance we can change the lives of thousands more. Music for Life
While the main story in this issue takes you through
Centers
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.
EDITORIAL TEAM
Executive Editors: Ray Barnett, Suzanne Nelson
Your ongoing support as a Child Sponsor or Friend of Editors: Dawna Hodgins, Connie Millar, Penny Peterson, Michael Prins, David Turner
the Choir will ensure that the children you see on stage Photographic Contributions: Rebecca Johnson, Steve Hoyt, Victor Thiessen, Paul Yates,
today will achieve their dreams. You can help change a Craig Peters, Nicolas Koole, Kyle Healy, Michael Prins, Steve Higgs, Sarah Lidstone,
continent, one child at a time. Angela Lounsbury
Design and Art Direction: www.thinkgraphicdesigns.com

CONTACT US
United States PO Box 29690 Bellingham WA 98228-1690
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 info@africanchildrenschoir.com W africanchildrenschoir.com

Gifts are tax deductible allowed by law. Music for Life is a registered charitable organization in the
United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and South Africa. In the United Kingdom, Music for Life is a
company limited by guarantee and not a share capital.

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

1 / africanchildrenschoir.com
 WE ARE THE
AFRICANCHILDREN’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 us.

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. homeland. With
A small fishing boat comes across a hungry crocodile. costumes and
The king and his court celebrate a bountiful harvest with a dance reserved dances repre-
just for the occasion. senting different
tribes from
For 25 years, the African Children’s Choir has appeared at churches, throughout Af-
schools, and community centers, relying upon the generous donations rica, the children
of those concert-goers to support its life-changing programs in the chil- demonstrate the beauty and
dren’s home communities in Africa. dignity of Africa’s cultures and
the joy and hope of its people.
Now the Choir has created a unique theatrical production called Journey As the children’s songs flow
of Hope, designed to complement the ongoing touring gospel program. through eight different languages, you’ll
discover the full picture of the mission of the African Children’s
Let the talented children of the African Children’s Choir take you along Choir—from our beginning in the midst of Uganda’s civil war, to the pres-
on an inspiring musical journey across the vast and diverse continent of ent, with thousands of transformed lives to celebrate. The program also
Africa. Gain a fuller understanding of Africa—with its pride, promise, and features some of the Choir’s favourite gospel songs and elements of rich
its problems—as the children share with you the cultural heritage of their storytelling and drama.

The Choir will be presenting Journey of Hope in theaters and concert halls across the U.S. in the spring of 2010.
For more information, visit our website at africanchildrenschoir.com/JOH.
africanchildrenschoir.com / 2
 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.

3 / africanchildrenschoir.com
 • Capital: Khartoum
• Population: 40.2 million Sudan
• 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

• Capital: Kigali
• Population: 10.2 million Rwanda
• GDP per Capita: $242 (2006)
• Life Expectancy: 49.8 years
• HIV/AIDS Infection: 150,000 (2007)

MFL RESPONDS:
• 50+ students sponsored
• Volunteer teams host camps; provide additional education programs • Capital: Kampala
and support
• Post-genocide counselling for PTSD and food and supply shipments
• Population: 29.6 million
• GDP per Capita: $346 (2006) Uganda
• Funding for community development projects • Life Expectancy: 52.3 years
• Support for Gisimba Memorial Center • 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
• Capital: Pretoria
• Population: 43.8 million South Africa • Volunteer teams host camps; provide additional education programs
and support
• GDP per Capita: $5,133 (2006)
• Music for Life Centers offer music, dance, nutrition and life skills
• Life Expectancy: 42.4 years
• 200 students sponsored at African Outreach Academy
• HIV/ AIDS Infection: 5.7 million (2007)
• 200 students sponsored at 2 primary schools in Kampala slum
• 150+ former Choir children enrolled at African Children’s Choir
MFL RESPONDS: Primary School
• 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

Nigeria Ghana
• Capital: Abuja Accra
• Capital: Nairobi
• Population: 38.0 million Kenya • Population:
• GDP per Capita:
138.3 million
$917 (2006)
23.4 million
$532 (2006)
• GDP per Capita: $650 (2006)
• Life Expectancy: 47.8 years 59.5 years
• Life Expectancy: 56.6 years
• HIV/AIDS Infection: 2.6 million (2007) 260,000(2007)
• HIV/AIDS Infection: 1.5 — 2.0 million (2007 est)

MFL RESPONDS: MFL RESPONDS:

• Sponsorship of former Choir children in Secondary and Post-Secondary
• 2nd highest number of children selected for Choir tours
school
• Ongoing mentorship and support for returning Choir children
• Ongoing support of King’s Kids Primary School in Nigeria
• 75+ former Choir children supported
• Ongoing support of Living Stone Primary School in Ghana
• Volunteer teams host camps; provide additional education programs
and support
• 2 Music for Life Centers offer dance, music and nutrition

* statistics compiled from UNdata World Statistics Pocketbook, UNAIDS, CIA Factbook
africanchildrenschoir.com / 4

As the African Children’s Choir celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary, we look back on
how far we’ve come, and look ahead to where we’re going. It all started with a song.
O Over twenty-five 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, including
several 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 his
decimated 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 hearts 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
5 / africanchildrenschoir.com
25 YEARS
would be deeply moved and would certainly want to help.”
In April 1984 Ray and a team of volunteers went to Uganda to select
31 vulnerable children who would become the first African Children’s
Choir.
That September, the Choir landed in North America and achieved
much more throughout their tour than Ray could have imagined. The
Choir inspired audiences with their stories and raised enough funds to
open the first Children’s Home. The Home provided a stable environ-
ment and a quality education for the Choir children and additional
children who needed care.
While Ray had thought of the Choir as a one-time endeavour, the
Choir’s instant popularity and the ongoing needs in Uganda convinced
him to continue.
A second Choir was selected from the Children’s Home, and the Afri-
can Children’s Choir began another tour.
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
children’s 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 special
Literacy schools.There, hundreds of children learned to read and write,
and gained confidence and skills that ensured a brighter future.

The organization next established a sponsorship program to help the

children move further in their schooling. People from the West were
now able to help the students continue their education at regular pri-
mary and secondary schools.

Hope was 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 chil-
dren should remain with family as much as possible. Already over-bur-
dened families were feeling the strain of taking in more needy chil-
dren.

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 first 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.
In years to come, the Choir would build two more boarding schools
specifically for returning Choir children; Music for Life Primary School
in 2001 and the new African Children’s Choir Primary school in 2009.
(For more information on these schools, see page 10).
The African Children’s Choir has always been where help was needed
most, adapting over the years to meet 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.
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 benefited significantly from music and dance. For the Rwandan
children chosen to be part of the African Children’s Choir, it was a
huge step forward.
Next, the organization expanded to Nigeria and Ghana. As in East
Africa, AIDS was taking its toll, its rapid spread leaving thousands of
children orphaned and vulnerable. New Choir children were selected
from these countries and the organization ensured that they would be
supported all the way through college or university.
As the new millennium arrived Ray learned of an area in South Africa
decimated by AIDS. In the Nkomazi region thousands of orphaned
children had to fend for themselves and raise their brothers and sis-
ters. A Choir was formed from the area to raise awareness and secure
funding for the devastated region.
Based on the transformation seen in the Choir children, a powerful
new program was born in South Africa.

The African Children’s Choir responded to the 1992 crisis in Somalia,
sending emergency food, medical supplies and education supplies.
Before publicity campaigns about the Lost Boys of Sudan, the African
Children’s Choir was working in the war-torn country, providing emer-
gency relief and establishing development projects.Today, the organiza-
tion 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 educa-
tion system.
The first Music for Life Center was established in South Africa to pro-
vide benefits to children not touring with the Choir. Music and dance
lessons, tutoring and nutrition were offered in a loving Christian envi-
ronment, and the program quickly became the greatest source of joy
in the lives of many children.
The organization has recently opened similar Centers in nine more
locations in South Africa, as well as two in Kenya and two in Uganda.
At these Centers, the children are nurtured into confident young men
and women, equipped with the skills and determination to improve

africanchildrenschoir.com / 6
 Others have recognized that the children of the Choir vividly paint a
positive vision for Africa’s future, and have brought their captivating
smiles and talent to prestigious stages over the years.

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

royalty, at events like Live 8 and World AIDS Day, and to massive global
audiences through TV programs and film soundtracks.

In the West, the children’s music has brought hope and healing to
places like Ground Zero in New York and in Louisiana after Hurricane
Katrina. In Kenya, the children sang as brothers and sisters in a country
divided by tribal tensions.

While the significance of this global audience is enormous, the orga-

nization continues to help Africa’s most vulnerable children today, so
they can help Africa tomorrow.

After 25 incredible years, not a day has passed without a Choir on tour.
Thousands have been helped yet it is clear that the work of the Choir
is far from complete. Every day in Africa, thousands more children are
left vulnerable because of AIDS, poverty, and war. Countless more lack
access to clean 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 strong
Christian faith and character, prepared to be the role-models for the
next generation.

Believe with us, join with us and help the African Children’s Choir con-
their communities and their nations. (See more on page 13.)
tinue to transform whole nations—one child at a time.
Just as one boy’s song captured Ray’s imagination, the African Chil-
dren’s Choir has stolen the hearts of people around the world.

You too can be an “Auntie” or “Uncle”!

Chaperone with the African Children’s Choir
The African Children’s Choir is actively seeking Tour Serve as an “Uncle” or “Auntie”, offering mentorship as a chaperone*,
Chaperones to tour primarily within the United and applying your practical skills in one of many roles: Administrator,
States, Canada, or the United Kingdom. Teacher, Product Salesperson, Music Supervisor, Sound Technician, Bus
Driver, or even Tour Leader.
This is an incredibly fulfilling way to impact children’s lives, and a travel
experience unlike any other!

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

Volunteer@africanchildrenschoir.com | 1-877-532-8651
*Chaperones commit to 12 months with the organization and should be at least 20 years old

7 / africanchildrenschoir.com
1.
1984 1st African Children’s Choir tours to North America (1)

1985 1st Children’s Home established in Kampala.

1st three literacy schools founded in Kampala

1986 Choir tours behind the Iron Curtain in Communist East Berlin
6 additional Children’s Homes established in Uganda

2.

1990 6th Tour includes children from Kenya (2)

1991 African Outreach Academy established in Luwero, Uganda

Emergency aid sent to Somalia

1992 The African Children’s Choir nominated for a Grammy Award
3.
1993 Relief aid begins in Sudan

1994 10th Anniversary! (3)

4.
1997 3 Primary Schools and Teacher Training College established in Sudan

5.
1998 Makindye Choir Training Academy established in Kampala (4)

1999 18th Tour includes children from Ghana & Nigeria

2001 Music for Life Primary School opens in Kampala (5)

6. Music for Life begins work in Nkomazi region of South Africa

2002 Choir sings at Ground Zero in New York City

2003 24th Tour includes children from Rwanda

7. 2004 20th Anniversary! (6)

Choir performs at Nelson Mandela 46664 concert in South Africa (7)

2005 Choir performs at Live8 in Hyde Park, London

8. 2006 First Music for Life Center established in South Africa

Choir performs on American Idol special “Idol Gives Back”, and Season 7 finale
2007 First tour to Australia (8)
9.
Construction of African Children’s Choir Primary School begins
2008 Music for Life Junior Academy opens in Komatipoort, South Africa
Food containers sent to Kenya and Sudan
2009 25th Anniversary! (9)

africanchildrenschoir.com / 8
 BECOME A
SPONSOR

HELP
CHANGE AFRICA
ONE CHILD
AT A TIME

Sponsor a child from the Choir or one of the many

other children attending the organization’s
educational programs in Africa.

You’ll be able to develop a long-term relationship with

your sponsored child and help your child achieve his or
her dreams.
God chose me to go to school
* Sponsorship is an on-going monthly
and gave me sponsors
commitement. For more information visit
africanchildrenschoir.com/help/sponsor
to pay for me so I can learn.
or call 1-877-532-8651. -Rose (8, Uganda)
9 / africanchildrenschoir.com
 off to
school
How would your life be different if you had never been to school? Would you have
the same job? The same home? In the West, attending school is a requirement. In Africa it is a
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 can
lead to jobs that can earn money for food, clothing, and medical care.

Helping Africa’s most vulnerable children today… In 2001, Music for Life Primary School was built to provide a home
The African Children’s Choir realized early on that education is the key for returning Choir children and to expand on the unique education
to long-term change in Africa and made this its primary focus. received while on tour.

Why is education so important? When Joshua’s tour is over, he is assured of his place at the boarding
school where he will be loved, cared for, nurtured spiritually and sup-
“Because you learn things,” says 11-year old Tony. “I have learned to ported as he reaches for his dreams.
know how my ancestors lived so I know if I need to change it or not.”
Music for Life Primary School blends positive elements of both West-
The children know first-hand just how difficult life is for those who do ern and African culture. While on tour the children have an amazing
not have an education. Families will sacrifice food, shelter and medical range of personal experiences and their teachers hope the children
care to send their children to can use those experiences to
school. make connections not only
“The children really value with the way things are, but
school, and look at it as a privi- also with the way things could
lege,” says former Choir chap- be.
erone and teacher Jenny Kohl- An example of one such con-
rus. “They value education and nection is Moses, a member
know that it will change their of the first African Children’s
lives and their countries.” Choir. While on tour Moses
admired the smooth roads,
…so they can help comparing them to the pot-
Africa tomorrow! holed roads near his home
in Kampala. That time on tour
Joshua is a 10-year old from inspired Moses to study engi-
Uganda and member of the neering and become a Chief
31st African Children’s Choir. Engineer for the City of Kam-
His time on tour has opened pala. When it came time to
up a whole new future. Like build the school, Moses was
all African children, Joshua has contracted by the African
the potential to make a differ- Children’s Choir to supervise
ence. He knows that by studying and learning, his future is wide open, construction.
in spite of the circumstances he has come from.
Music for Life Primary School has since established itself as one of
“When you finish studying you can help other people” he says. “Like the top schools in Kampala. Academically, students consistently achieve
when their eyes are sick, you can help them.” Joshua would like to be some of the highest National exam marks; members of the school’s
an Optometrist one day. Mathematical Society have won competitions; and one student is even
The Choir supports the education of thousands of underprivileged a prize-winning artist.
children like Joshua, providing sponsorship for tuition and supplies. The The school’s champion soccer and volleyball teams are a force to be
organization also operates a number of schools in Uganda, South Af- reckoned with but always impressing Headmaster Mark Williams and
rica and Southern Sudan. their coaches with their outstanding sportsmanship.
Music for Life Primary School - Uganda The success of the African Children’s Choir has meant that the number

africanchildrenschoir.com / 10
 of students enrolled has exceeded the space available in the school.
A larger, upgraded facility is under construction on a 15-acre campus
near Entebbe.
The new campus, aptly named The African Children’s Choir Primary
School, is expected to welcome students in the Fall of 2009.

African Children’s Choir Junior Academy –

South Africa
In South Africa, the African Children’s Choir works in one of the ar-
eas hardest hit by AIDS: the Nkomazi region in Mpumalanga province.
When the organization began its work here, over half the population
was under age three, and over 2700 children were orphaned.
Three Choirs have since been formed from children in this region, and
the organization was determined that these children would be taken
care of upon their return. The question was, how and where?
In 2008 the African Children’s Choir established a Christian boarding
school in Komatipoort, near the Southern edge of the Kruger National
park. The African Children’s Choir Junior Academy would be home to
former and future Choir children from the area.
The school also serves as a Training Center for future Choirs from this
area. Former Choir members are encouraged to help teach dancing
and drumming to the younger students.
“It is wonderful to see these children impart to the new ones what
they have learned over the years. The new children are excited to
learn and want to be just like the older ones,” says Di Babb, the facility’s
Operations Manager.
The school currently offers classes from grades three to seven and the
students continue to excel well into secondary school.
credited through Kyimboga University in Kampala, Uganda in 2008.
Teacher Training College - Southern Sudan The first class graduated in 2002 and the new teachers are working
In Southern Sudan, Music for Life is working with several other non- all over Southern Sudan, providing new leadership for a country just
governmental organizations to rebuild the country’s entire educational developing after a devastating war that killed or displaced millions.
infrastructure, decimated during the decades-long civil war. Over 15 Music for Life also operates a skills training center for local youth and
primary and two secondary schools have been established in Kajo Keji war widows that includes courses in the trades.
County, with over 3500 students enrolled. Through these schools and the sponsorship of hundreds of other
In 2000, the first primary Teacher Training School began operations, students in Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria, and Ghana, the African Children’s
certifying a new generation of teachers based on the Ugandan Na- Choir is truly “helping Africa’s most vulnerable children today, so they
tional Curriculum and Teachers Standards. The school was officially ac- can help Africa tomorrow.”

When I grow up
I want to be a nurse
- Esther (9, Uganda)

When I grow up
I want to be a president
- Gilbert (11, Uganda)

11 / africanchildrenschoir.com
AFRICANCHILDREN’SCHOIR PRIMARY SCHOOL
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
The success of the African Children’s Choir has created a happy dilemma;
the current Music for Life Primary School is overflowing! Approximately
150 students are currently enrolled at a facility originally built for 90!
The temporary solution is to house and
school students in the lower grades at a sat-
ellite campus approximately 20 minutes away.
The Choirs in training are at yet a third facility.
This is not ideal for a number of reasons. But
there is a solution!
Plans were made and construction has begun
for a new, upgraded education facility on a
15-acre parcel of land near Entebbe, on the
shores of Lake Victoria.
The new campus will house up to 200 students,
with the possibility of expanding to 400.
Additional staff and guest housing will be built
on site and a new Choir Training Center will
allow children to continue their classes with
their peers. The Assembly Hall and Amphithe-
To donate to this campaign, please call 1-877-532-8651 or visit africanchildrenschoir.com/accps
ater will provide a meeting place for students
and the community. A full soccer pitch will ac-
commodate the school’s championship soccer
teams.
The campus will also have a garden to help
with science lessons and to provide some of
the school’s food needs. Landscaping has been
designed with lots of open spaces for play, and
other spaces for quiet reflection or study.
The children are excited to move to the new
facility in late summer-early fall of 2009.
When asked why she’s excited about the new
school, 11-year old Lydia replied, “I’m looking
forward to learning and having new friends.
And seeing Lake Victoria. When you do well
in school you can help others and help your
family.”
africanchildrenschoir.com / 12

Centers across Africa
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 difficulties 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 significant 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 opportunity 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 was
able 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-
firms basic rights, infuses self-esteem, and builds life skills. The personal
changes are undeniable; workers and school administrators bear wit-
ness to heightened confidence, focus in class, and most importantly,
smiles on faces that once had none!
13 / africanchildrenschoir.com
“With the MFL group going to the schools every week, it is obvious
that the children have learned songs, dances and life skills,” says Eunice
Odieo, a former Choir member, now a Center volunteer. “The children
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 a rare opportunity to shine and build faith in
themselves!
In just four years the growth has been astonishing. Music for Life is now
privileged to serve ten schools weekly in South Africa. The program
also includes two Centers each in Kenya and Uganda, modified only to
remain culturally relevant. All have met with the same positive results.
The desire to ensure each individual child’s emotional, social and
spiritual needs are met is promoting positive development in each
community. Relationships and personal contact with the most vulner-
able children have opened the door to help meet many families’ most
pressing needs by providing food and medical care.
In keeping with Music for Life’s mission of “helping Africa’s most vulner-
able today, so they can help Africa tomorrow”, many young adults who
have been helped by Music for Life are also involved, leading the classes
and mentoring to the younger children. No one can understand these
children better than those who have shared their history.
David Kanyosya is one such former Choir member who now works
for Music for Life in Kenya. “The children have opened up to the young
adults since they feel associated to them,” he says. “Some of them have
lived in the same neighborhoods and have experienced and lived simi-
lar lives before they joined Music for Life. This has enabled the leaders
to counsel and give hope to the children in a more personal level and
as a result enriching the value of MFL programs.”
Mwai Githinji, the Kenya Office Administrator says, “with so much
praise from the school administration and the children too, our young
adults are more than zealous to reach out to many other children and
see their lives changed and transformed for good.”
The added dimension of having the older teach the younger is a bless-
ing, creating a beautiful cycle unique to Music for Life that ripples out-
ward even as it comes full circle. The Music for Life Centers fulfill the
original hope of the organization: helping Africa’s most vulnerable to-
day, so they can help Africa tomorrow. “We hope that we would have
put a ray of hope for the little children’s hearts”, says Eunice, “and give
them hope for a better future.”
 I WOULD like to
support the work
of the Choir
For a tax receipt, please ensure that you provide your mailing address
You and your team can go to Africa!
Name: ___________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________

City: _____________________________________________________
WORK CREWS EDUCATIONAL
CAMP TEAMS DEVELOPMENT
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WORK CREWS
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PRACTICUM COURSE
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Experience Africa, and help some of Africa’s most vulnerable.

Be part of: Payment Method: Cash Credit Card Check
(Please make Checks payable to “Music for Life Institute”)
• Children’s Ministry & Day-camps
• Educational development, practicum course work
• Construction/renovation projects Name of Card Holder: ______________________________________

With your team of 6-12, you will enjoy community visits, project site Signature: _________________________________________________
visits, and an optional safari experience. Help give children across
Africa an experience they would otherwise go without!
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Enquire Today! I am interested in:

Sponsoring a child. Send me more information.

Change lives; it might even change yours. Giving to the new African Children’s Choir Primary School.

Apply with your team today! Please enquire for dates, cost, Becoming a Friend of the Choir. Send me more information.
application requirements, and availability. Volunteering. Send me more information.

1-877-532-8651 Other (Please specify)

volunteer@africanchildrenschoir.com
africanchildrenschoir.com/help/volunteer
Please fill out and mail to:
United States PO Box 29690 Bellingham WA 98228 - 1690
Canada PO Box 3100 Langley BC V3A 4R3
CMAG-07-09
African Children’s Choir (R) TM is a part of Music for Life, a registered charitable organization in the
United States, Canada, United Kingdom and South Africa. Tax receipts are automatically issued in the
New Year for cumulative gifts exceeding $15 in the previous calendar year. Tax receipts for donations
under $15 will be issued by request only.

africanchildrenschoir.com / 14
 Take the Choir It Takes A Whole Village
A showcase of some of the Choir’s favorite

home with YOU! traditional African songs, along with a few

English favorites!

Still Walking in the Light

African Children’s Choir Music CD’s & DVD A LIVE! celebration of the Choir’s 15th
Anniversary! Featuring favorites like “O
Title: Qty USA/Canada Happy Day” and “This Little Light of Mine!”

Still Walking in the Light _____ $15.00

Because You Loved Me _____ $15.00 Devotion
Devotion _____ $15.00 A collection of some of the Choir’s beautiful
praise and worship songs
It Takes a Whole Village _____ $15.00
Still Walking in the Light (DVD) _____ $20.00
Teach Me To Dance (DVD) _____ $20.00
Because You Loved Me
T-shirts Favorite songs from some of the Choir’s clas-
Adults - S M L XL XXL _____ $20.00 sic earlier albums

Child - Child Sm Med Lg _____ $15.00

(14-16 (6-8) (10-12)(14-16)

Subtotal __________ T-Shirt

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Total __________
Name: ___________________________________________________
The Choir are the ambassadors for millions
like them-- and you can be an ambassador
for them too! Show off your support
everywhere you go.

Address: __________________________________________________
DVD - Still Walking in the Light
A LIVE performance celebrating the African
Children’s Choir 15th Anniversary
City: _____________________________________________________

State/Province: ___________________ Post/Zip Code: ____________

Email: ____________________________________________________
DVD - Teach Me To Dance
Phone: ___________________________________________________ A LIVE performance celebrating the African
Children’s Choir 20th Anniversary
Method of Payment:
Visa Master Card AMEX Other

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Order product online at africanchildrenschoir.com/store
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Check made payable to “Music for Life” Can’t get enough of the Choir?
africanchildrenschoir.com
Mail your order form to:
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Canada: PO Box 3100 Langley BC V3A 4R3 • see the choir’s upcoming tour dates
• sign up for our online newsletter
• see pictures and hear stories from the road
15 / africanchildrenschoir.com