our founder
40 years ago, Ray Barnett was on a humanitarian trip to war-torn Uganda when he gave a small boy a ride from his decimated home to the safety of another village.
During the journey, the child did what he knew how to do best – he sang. That simple song of dignity and hope became the catalyst for a program that has changed the lives of thousands of children and reshaped the future of the African continent.
“When I went back to Canada and people were not very interested in Uganda, I remembered this small boy,” Ray explained. “I knew that if only a group of these beautiful children could go to the West, people would be deeply moved and would certainly want to help.”
In that moment, the African Children’s Choir® was born.
Success Stories
Below are the stories of our alumni who experienced a major life change because of their participation. These students weren’t just singers and dancers in the Choir; they gained freedom, hope, improved education, and unlimited opportunities which helped them become the ChangeMakers they are today.
THE CHOIR PROGRAM
The African Children’s Choir® program promotes the dignity and unlimited ability of the African child around the world, being a voice for the millions of suffering children who cannot speak for themselves. The program provides for the children’s well being and quality education, utilizing the transformative power of music.
Before being selected to join the Choir, children, generally aged between 8 and 11 attend Music for Life camps. These camps are fun and stimulating environments that provide a break from the daily hardships the young children face at home.
Once the children are selected, Choir Teams will spend a few days visiting the children’s homes to determine their needs and suitability for tour life. They then have the difficult task of selecting the group of children who will form the next African Children’s Choir.
Children selected to tour will spend approximately five months at the Choir Training Academy in Kampala, Uganda. Here the children learn the songs and dances, attend school, play and attend Sunday School at a local church.
It is at the Choir Training Academy where the real life-changing work of the African Children’s Choir™ can be seen. The children’s personalities and talents emerge like never before as they settle into their new routine with the knowledge that they are loved and cared for.
While touring with the Choir, the children are exposed to a world of new possibilities. Chaperones, host communities and caring professionals share their wide variety of experiences with the children, exposing them to many new ideas and encouraging them to dream.
After returning to Africa, Music For Life continues to provide a caring education that builds on the unique international exposure the children experienced abroad.
The children receive a quality education, leadership training and spiritual ministry at the African Children’s Choir Primary School in Entebbe, eventually moving on to Empower International Academy and Post-Secondary.