|PIC1|The Watoto Children's Choir's have toured internationally since 1994 and have rendered a message of hope to many parts of the world through their soulful blend of African rhythm, contemporary gospel and ethnic dance.
Some of these Watoto children have been literally rescued from rubbish dumps and have been orphaned by war, poverty and AIDS.
The choir members who before have performed for the Queen at Buckingham Palace, at the White House, and even at Australia's own Parliament House, will be rendered with financial support as they tour across Australia till June 2.
Mark Bradshaw, Watoto Director for Australasia, claims that Watoto is different from other organizations in that their core goal is not to just rescue children from poverty and disease but to help them rise above it and become part of the new leadership required in their country in whatever field they inspire to become.
"These children carry the message of hope they themselves experienced at Watoto. The people in Australia are privileged to watch this beautiful choir and to participate in the cause. Australians will be blown away by the best of African contemporary music as presented by the Watoto Children's Choir," says Esther Agwang from Watoto's Ugandan office.
Some member teams from Australia will also go to the east-central African country later this year offering their support as part of Aussie construction teams helping to build schools and infrastructure at the village.
Watoto currently operates three children's villages and cares for over 1500 children. The village homes each accommodate eight children and a mother who cares for them. These villages contain a complete school system for the Watoto children and introduce leadership principles.
The Watoto villages also include things such as a medical clinic, a church & community centre, and an agricultural project providing food, clean water and electricity.
Watoto Childcare Ministries was birthed in 1994 by a couple from Canada called Gary & Marilyn Skinner. Some of the long-term goals of the ministry include providing familial life and shelter, education, medical care and spiritual guidance to those children left parentless as a result of war and disease.
On the web: www.watoto.com