African choir returns to Melksham

A CHOIR from Kampala Children’s Centre in Uganda will be returning to Melksham, playing in Wiltshire for the sixth time since 2008.

Destiny Africa Children’s Choir consists of children aged between eight and 13 years old and was designed to speak for children without a voice and create awareness of the work of the children’s centre in Uganda.

Proceeds from tours provide for the children’s care, medical, recreation, education, career guidance, administration and staff wages.

One of the organisers of the performance due to be held in Melksham, John Firth, said, “It’s hard to imagine being abandoned as a baby, left in a drain to be washed away; orphaned by a war where children are taken away as child soldiers; picking through the rubbish tips looking for scraps to eat or bits to sell; or left alone through AIDS.

“Wanting to make a difference to that darkness in his home country, Arnold Muwonge, who lives in Manchester, began a children’s centre just north of Kampala in Uganda in 2005, building houses that each provide a home for 12 children and their house mother, with the help of churches across the UK and Belgium. As the project grew, more churches in Europe and the USA joined the initiative. Kampala Children’s Centre has since become home to nearly 200 children, all of whom are legally adopted.

“Wanting to give the children an education, the centre began a school. Beginning in a small shack in the hillside, it grew into a purpose-built kindergarten, a junior school, a secondary school and most recently a STEM centre, now educating nearly a thousand children from the surrounding towns and villages as well as from the centre. The school has been so successful that it has been recognised amongst the top 50 schools in Uganda. The intention of Kampala Children’s Centre is to equip every child with an education or a trade before they leave the centre. Lives that had begun in darkness have become a shining light of hope to many others. It has been so encouraging to hear of children who visited Melksham as part of the Destiny Africa Choir nearly 15 years ago, going on to graduate from university or learn a trade so that they can live a life full of hope to inspire many more.”

Come and experience the rhythm of Africa and hear the children’s life-changing stories at 7pm on Friday 11th of October, at Melksham Assembly Hall. Book your seats beforehand via the Melksham Assembly Hall website https://www.melkshamassembly.co.uk/events

Destiny Africa will be leading assemblies and running drum workshops at several schools in Melksham and Trowbridge during their visit.

“Many teachers and former pupils will remember the incredible impact that the joy and enthusiasm of these children brings wherever they perform,” explained John.

Local resident Donna Wood commented on Facebook when she read of the choir’s return and said, “I can not wait to see this wonderful performance again. Not to be missed!’

All profits from the concert go to the work of Kampala Children’s Centre.

The choir’s visit to West Wiltshire has been arranged by Maranatha Church in Trowbridge and GoodNews Church in Melksham.

www.destinyafrica.org