The 41st African Children’s Choir will be in Haines early next week for shows Tuesday, Sept. 2, at the Chilkat Center and Wednesday, Sept. 3, at the Presbyterian Church. Both shows start at 7 p.m.
Eighteen boys and girls from Uganda will sing a mix of African and English songs during the 80-minute shows.
Head choir teacher Brianna Smuk said proceeds from a “love offering” that will be accepted midway through the performances will benefit projects for underprivileged African youths, including a teacher’s college in South Sudan, music and dance education classes, and AIDS education and literacy programs in Ghana, Uganda, South Africa, Kenya, South Sudan and Nigeria.
The focus of the program is to advance progress in Africa by educating young people. Music for Life, the organization behind the choir, will pay for the education of choir members through college. Graduates of the program have gone on to successful careers as teachers, doctors, and lawyers in their home countries, and made a difference, Smuk said.
The children’s choir was started 30 years ago by Canadian minister Ray Barnett, who was impressed by the joy and dignity of an African youth who sang beautiful songs despite both his parents being killed during strife. “Ray wanted to show the world the potential of the African child,” Smuk said.
Many of the students who sing in the choir come from impoverished backgrounds or have lost a parent, Smuk said.