South Africa
The African Children’s Choir™ focuses its work on the Nkomazi region of Mpumalanga, a north–eastern area devastated by unemployment, drought and HIV/AIDS. The Choir is working to raise awareness and bring care and education to the many orphan-led families and afflicted children needing help in this region.
The Choir’s work has adapted to various needs over the past decade, and has since blossomed into a vibrant collection of educational programs and partnerships with local schools. Music for Life Centers are now hubs for child development. Based on the success of the Choir program, eight Centers are currently in operation. Music and dance, tutoring, life-skills training, and food are offered to over 400 children weekly.
Visiting Music for Life Teams help field staff with community outreach programs, such as children’s camps, sports and games, and family visitation. The field staff sees firsthand the uplifting effects this work accomplishes.
In March of 2008, the Choir opened the doors to the new Music for Life Junior Academy in Komatipoort. The boarding school trains and prepares upcoming African Children’s Choir™ from the region. The school also provides a stimulating environment and ongoing educational support to children who have toured with the Choir.
The first group of children from Nkomazi to join the African Children’s Choir™ toured Europe in 2005. A second Choir from the region toured the UK from May to December of 2008. A third Choir from Nkomazi — the 33rd African Children’s Choir™ — are just concluding their tour of the UK and Europe, having performed, at venues such as Storemont Castle in Northern Ireland and 10 Downing Street.
