The Town of Gibsons opened its arms in greeting the Watoto Children’s Choir on Friday, Jan. 30 at a welcome lunch at the Gibsons Public Market hours before their sold out concert at Christian Life Assembly.
The choir from Uganda is currently on a cross-Canada tour to raise awareness about the alarming number of children left orphaned in Africa due to young, unprepared parents and the AIDS epidemic that swept through in the early 1990s.
Even with a decline in HIV AIDS in Africa in recent years, the after effects are still all too present.
“There were over 1.5 million kids that were left orphaned,” said choir manager Moses Mukasa. “Watoto started as a way to rescue as many kids as we could, with the idea that they could grow up — we could raise them so that they could change their country or rebuild their nation.”
Watoto is a Swahili word that means children, but since its inception, Watoto has gone beyond just rescuing children. They also offer aid to vulnerable women and former child soldiers.
“This message is a message of hope, a message of love. That, you know what, it doesn’t matter how bad your past has been. What matters is where you’re going,” said team leader Bryan Mwaka.
Watoto is a Christian-based organization, and the importance of spirituality comes through strongly with the children.
“The choir is important because we come on tour to share the love of Jesus,” said lead singer Dennis Rubangakene.
“So that people get to know what Jesus is,” added singer Martha Faith Kiiza.
The choir performed in Squamish before coming to Gibsons. From here they will move east across the country. The children are excited to see a real, snowy, Canadian winter.
