Watoto Children's Choir

The Watoto Children's Choir is a highly successful group of African children choirs based in Kampala, Uganda, at Watoto Church and which tour internationally.[1][2][3] Each is composed of about eighteen to twenty-two children from Uganda and their extensive tours raise both money and awareness for the Watoto orphanages in Kampala.

Watoto Children's Choir
Background information
OriginUganda
InstrumentsDrums, a cappella singing
Years active1994–present
LabelsWatoto Publishing
Websitehttps://www.watoto.com/ watoto.com]

“Watoto” means "Children" in Swahili. The choir is made up of children who have lost one or both parents, often as a result of AIDS, poverty or extreme vulnerability.[4] Watoto operate six choirs which tour Asia, Australia, Europe and North and South America. The choirs travel with a team of adult chaperones who look after the children and also manage the day-to-day Logistics of the tour on the road. The choir has toured Asia, Australia, Brazil, Canada and China.[5][6]

Their ‘concerts of hope’ are a blend of African rhythms, contemporary gospel music, creative dance and story-telling. They have released several albums including “Mambo Sawa”, “Beautiful Africa” and “Oh,What Love”. Their latest album "We Will Go” features live music played throughout the concerts on most of the tours.

The Watoto Children’s Choirs have performed with many award-winning artists including Chris Tomlin, Israel Houghton and Martin Smith. They have also been invited to the UK Houses of Parliament, the Canadian and Australian Parliaments as well as the White House.

Watoto, in a nutshell, is a family of people all over the world who are making sure that the forgotten have a place to belong. In a time of civil also comprises Watoto Child Care Ministries, three babies' homes, social work services, medical clinics, pastoral and discipleship, three primary schools, a high school and a vocational school. All these facilities are located on special children's villages that have been built by the church.

As of May 2020, Watoto is under investigation by Uganda's Internal Security Organisation for alleged breaches of the country's child labour laws, taking children out of the country illegally and placing them at risk. Over 80 children reportedly remain stranded overseas in the US, Malaysia, New Zealand and Brazil after Uganda closed its borders on 23 March. [7] Watoto Church has also been criticised for its hardline stance on homosexuality.[8]

References
  1. Watoto Children's choir "Signs & Wonders" concert
  2. Watoto Children’s Choir to kick off UK tour in Canning Town - Home - Newham Recorder
  3. African children’s choir to perform in Ormond Beach | Daytona Times
  4. https://www.watoto.com/about/history/
  5. "Happenings school news: YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College" (PDF). South China Morning Post. 12 March 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2020. Performance at the YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College in Hong Kong, China.
  6. Y's Opinion May 12 Issue 78. Performance at the YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College in Hong Kong, China.
  7. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/may/04/uganda-megachurch-criticised-for-choir-tour-as-children-stranded-by-covid-19
  8. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-uganda-gays/new-law-drives-ugandas-embattled-gays-deeper-into-shadows-idUSBREA2806420140309


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