Watoto Children's Choir Sing Songs of Hope

By Ashley Coleman First Coast News

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- At first glance, the group of children dressed in bright colors, beam with pride and smiling faces. But beneath the surface is a past full of pain.

Eighteen children make up the Watoto Children's Choir. They were all orphaned by AIDS or other problems.

"It was hard because sometimes we didn't have food to eat," said 12-year-old Lazarus Wana.

Wana and the rest of the choir are from Uganda, Africa. They were taken in by the Watoto Child Care Ministries.

The ministry has helped out thousands of children since it started in 1994. They place the children in homes with a foster mother. For six months out of the year, five different choirs of children travel around the world, performing in churches.

On Sunday, the choir stopped by Celebration Church of Jacksonville, as part of their Concerts of Hope tour.

10-year-old Violet Namukaya shared her story of hope with the church.

"Today we have smiles on our faces and joy in our hearts."

But a few years ago, Namukaya's life was much different. Her father died of AIDS and her mother was killed in an accident. Now, she says things have changed for the better.

"They have given me clothes. They have given me food. They have given me a bed to sleep in, which is rich."

There are nearly 60 million children in Africa who have been orphaned by AIDS and other social problems.

"Some have been exposed to civil war and some have been made child soldiers. When we bring them in, they have a lot of emotional baggage," said Watoto leader Moses Waswa.

The leaders help the children change their old habits and become more emotionally stable.

By the looks on their faces, the children in the Watoto choir see hope in their future.

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