The African Children’s Choir will perform three concerts in the area this month. Courtesy photo

The African Children’s Choir is coming back to the area this October with stops in Altoona and Johnstown.

Not only are individuals invited to hear 17 African children sing traditional prayer songs, but they are also encouraged to help hundreds of impoverished African children receive an education, choir manager Tina Sipp said.

The children are “endearing, spirited, bright and funny,” she said, “and it’s hard not to want to help them.”

After receiving donations, African children on stage and in their local communities are able to attend secondary and post-secondary schools, thus earning degrees and specializations.

The program has helped over 1,300 children become “ChangeMakers for the future of Africa,” according to the press release.

In 1984, Ray Barnett started the organization while working in Uganda during their civil war. There, he gave a ride to a recently orphaned boy who sang prayer songs throughout the trip, Sipps said.

“Thousands of children were left orphaned after the war,” she said.

Over time, the organization’s goal grew to “raise as much money as possible to help educate children in East Africa,” she said, so they can “become self-sustaining and leaders.”

Currently, the choir is on a tour in the United States until May 15, performing in states like Florida and New York.

First-time tour leader

Daniel Tamale said his favorite part of the job is “being a voice for the young children I am with.”

Tamale was a choir member in 2008, traveling with 25 other students to perform at various places.

This year, he said the program has a “good team,” adding that they are “working so hard to make sure we have everything to make the shows run how they are supposed to.”

While off stage, the children and counselors stay with host families such as the Gibsons in Altoona.

Leslie Gibson said it’s fun to host the children because they “thoroughly enjoy having them.”

Being a host family is a way for Leslie and her husband to give back, she added.

The program will run for 80 minutes, Sipp said, which will feature African prayer music as well as songs such as “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art.”

The children give the audience “hope,” she said, because they give us “something for the soul and joy in spite of circumstance.”

Tamale also said people should come to the concerts to see the children’s infectious energies and receive “that same love and hope from us.”

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.

If you go

The African Children’s Choir will perform multiple concerts in the region.

Sunday, Oct. 19: 6 p.m., Juniata United Methodist, Altoona

Tuesday, Oct. 21: 7 p.m., Outdoor Odyssey at Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center, University of Pittsburgh Johnstown

Thursday, Oct. 23: 7 p.m., Outdoor Odyssey at Greater Johnstown Christian Fellowship