Watoto choir wows crowd

'WOW-TOTO': members of Watoto Children's Choir in action at Te Awamutu Bible Chapel. TC110908GJ01

BY GRANT JOHNSTON

Watoto Children’s Choir brought African culture to Te Awamutu for one night but left an impression that will last much longer.

I am sure most of the crowd of around 800 that overflowed Te Awamutu Bible Chapel will remember Tuesday night for the rest of their lives. The choir, principally comprising 18 Ugandan orphans aged between 7 and 13, sang and danced with a joyous vivacity that provided music for the soul and medicine for the heart. They sang, and talked, about how Jesus knew their names and had changed their lives in incredible ways.

Jimmy (11) told of how he had lost his father before he was born and his mother a few days later. His next caregivers were alcoholics and by the time he was three he was homeless, infected with measles and unable to walk. A pastor found him and took him to one of the Watoto orphanages — Jimmy told how his new life suited him just fine, plenty of brothers and sisters who, once his legs healed, he could play football with. He has tested negative for AIDS and is extremely grateful for the chance at a better life God and Watoto have given him. Like his choir colleagues, he’s a great dancer and singer.

There was no charge for the concert but a collection from the audience (some of whom were in a room alongside the packed out Bible Chapel auditorium watching the concert telecast) saw over $6000 raised to help care for parentless and at-risk children in Uganda.

The Watoto contingent of around 30 were hosted for afternoon tea and dinner at Te Awamutu Baptist Church and billeted locally.

Te Awamutu Baptist Church Senior Pastor, Bruce Bradburn, who was MC for Tuesday evening, said Joan McManus had done a great job in organising the hosting. Te Awamutu was the only Waikato venue for the Watoto choir. Ross Turner, of Te Awamutu Baptist Church, approached TEAR Fund which organises the concerts to push the case for Te Awamutu to host the choir — due to the connection that has been built up in recent years by local Christians with Uganda.

With the support of the community, funding for 40 heifers for Ugandan families has been provided, along with visits to Uganda by Mr Turner, his wife Carol and other local Christians to assist with animal husbandry. It is a growing gift — as heifers from the original heifers are passed on to other families.