Ugandan children’s choir performing at local church
Life looked bleak for Gloria Nassuna, 12, and her five brothers and sisters when their father abandoned the family in Uganda.
But Gloria was sponsored to attend school as part of the Shaddai and Light Africa ministries, and the seventh-grader says she wants to become a doctor.
Gloria also is one of 20 children selected to participate in the ministries’ Amani Children’s Choir, which will perform at Mt. Herman Baptist Church, Amity, at 7 p.m. Thursday.
The children range in age from 9 to 20 and have been traveling across the United States since November on “The Joyful Africa Tour.”
The children, who live in poverty in Uganda, are raising funds to finish construction of Light Africa Academy, which includes building dormitories for boys and girls, science and computer labs, and providing transportation for students.
The choir also is hoping to raise money to fund a well for clean drinking water and classrooms for an orphanage and school.
The children will be performing songs and dances that reflect Ugandan culture and language.
There is no cost for the concert, but there will be a love offering to help their ministry.
The choir’s visit to Washington County was coordinated by Christine Hainer, area coordinator for Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian organization that provides physical and spiritual aid to people worldwide. Operation Christmas Child provides shoeboxes filled with supplies and gifts for children in need.
Hainer said all of the choir members have been shoebox gift recipients.
The choir will stay at the home of Mike and Kathy Makripodis of Amity during their visit.
The Makripodises have built the Makripodis Bible Institute School in Sierra Leone, Africa, and sponsor many children who attend school there.
“We’re really excited about this. These kids come from a war-torn country, but they’re so full of life and want to give to others when they haven’t received very much in their lives themselves,” said Kathy Makripodis. “They’re so happy and joyful. I know they’re going to be wonderful.”
Following the concert, choir members will sell goods.
Family Promise of Southwestern Pennsylvania has donated 20 air mattresses and bedding for the children to use.
The choir has performed at more than 100 churches, schools and other venues across the country, and wraps up its six-month tour in May.