African choir to visit KP this month

Staff Report

On Tuesday, March 18, the Watoto Children’s Choir will be bringing the sights and sounds of Uganda to the Key Peninsula.

The concert, sponsored by Lakebay Community Church with the help of other area churches, will be hosted at the Longbranch Improvement Club. It will begin at 6:30 p.m., and run approximately one hour.

The choir tour is part of the work of Watoto Church, which seeks to restore lives torn apart by decades of warfare and disease. Through this organization, orphaned children are given a home and a family, as well as education and support, in order that a new generation of leaders will be able to rebuild their nation.

According to Lakebay Community Church pastor Dan Whitmarsh, the Watoto Choir consists of Ugandan children, “singing with joy of their new found hope, and sharing their stories of tragedy and triumph.” The music, performed in traditional African style, is embellished with bright, colorful costumes, as well as the infectious smiles of the children. Homemade crafts are available for purchase to help support the work of Watoto, Whitmarsh said.

Admission is free, although an offering will be taken to assist the work of Watoto.

For information, call 884-3899, or visit watoto.com.