WESTFIELD – The voices of children will fill the halls of Westfield Evangelical Free Church (WEFC) on Thursday as the Watoto Children’s Choir of Africa performs a free concert at 7 p.m.
WEFC Worship Pastor John Cruse said the choir includes orphans whose parents were killed because of war or disease. Participating in the travelling choir, he said, “really makes a difference in their lives.”
“Often they are taken in by nannies that they call aunts and uncles, and are raised by them,” said Cruse.
The choir performed here last year and Cruse said they were so well received that the church wanted to bring them back again.
The choir performs concerts at churches around the world and offers a glimpse of what life is like for these children. Concert audience members have the opportunity to make donations to the choir or “adopt” a child or family to offer additional support. Proceeds directly benefit the children, said Cruse.
According to watoto.com, Watoto Children’s Choirs have travelled internationally since 1994 as advocates for the estimated 50 million children in Africa, orphaned as a result of HIV/AIDS, war, poverty and disease.
Accompanied by a team of adults, the choir presents Watoto’s vision and mission through their stories, music and dance. Watoto choirs act as ambassadors to raise awareness about the plight of the orphaned and vulnerable children of Africa.
Issues such as poverty, HIV/AIDS, the effects of war and the child soldier crisis in Northern Ugandan are highlighted.
Each of the children in the choir has suffered the loss of their parents either through war or disease. They live in Watoto children’s villages. The experience gives the children exposure to other cultures broadening their worldview. It also gives them confidence and boldness and helps them rise up out of their own situations of sadness and despair.
The choirs have toured Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Australasia, Canada, UK, Germany, France, USA, South America, Hong Kong, China and Japan.
Their audiences have included princes and paupers, warming many hearts wherever they go. Cruse said packets with information on individual children and their aunts and uncles are available after the concert.
Audience members are sometimes able to “adopt” a child at that concert, allowing for a personal connection.
“A lot of people have made a connection, especially our church members who have been to Africa on missions,” said Cruse.
The free concert is at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25 at WEFC, 568 Southwick Road, Westfield.
