Touring America, Uganda Children Touch Hearts
The Watoto’s Children’s Choir from Uganda inspires America this Spring during their six-month 14-state tour.
The response from Americans is "absolutely overwhelming," according to U.S. Director of Watoto Tours, Kim Caruso. "People are falling in love with these kids."
Watoto is now in its 15th tour. Each year the response has only increased.
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"I can't tell you what a pleasure it was to host the Watoto Children's Choir at our church... They blessed our hearts beyond belief and the whole congregation is still talking about it. Some people wanted to just jump up and say, 'I'll take them home!'" said Pastor Jeffery Singletary, Idlewild Baptist Church, Tampa, FL.
The children stay with host families while on tour, and "Americans receive the opportunity to see the value in rescuing lives in Uganda," said Caruso.
Since the outbreak of AIDS and war, over two million have been orphaned, and for a nation the size of Oregon, the impact on the nation's welfare is "staggering," stated its release.
Each choir member has lost at least one parent to AIDS, civil strife or another catastrophic event.
Now, they're cared for by the Watoto Child Care Ministries in Kampala, Uganda, which currently provides for some 1,200 children. Its goal is to care for 10,000.
Despite these social and spiritual challenges, the children are a joy to work with, says Tim Skinner, creative director of the choir in a statement released by Watoto.
“The joy of working with Watoto is to witness the life transformation of the children," says Skinner, and by doing so, his life is changed.
Watoto Children's Choir raises funds to build single-family homes that hold up to eight children and one volunteer "house mother." The strategy is to provide a stable growing environment in order to equip them with the skills and morals to impact Uganda's future.
"Our mandate is to raise the next generation of Uganda leaders," said Caruso, "and the cool thing is, they're going to be Christians! Think about what that would mean for the African continent and the world."
In the past few years, interest has been growing for the homes. This year, 70 teams - the majority being Americans, will bring funds and construct these single-family dwellings, up from under 40 last year. In total, Watoto has built 104 homes.
Long term goals for Watoto include a babies home, a children’s hospital, a polytechnic institute, sustainable large-scale agricultural projects, and a university.
Visit http://www.watoto.com for tour dates and booking information.
