Watoto Children's Choir

The Watoto Children's Choir came to Oslo yesterday, these children were so incredible. I've never seen such smiling faces on anyone with backgrounds like theirs. It just goes to show how much God's love can change a person. Watch this video and I'm sure you'll agree with me:



By the way they will be touring around Southern CA late February and March of next year.

So just what is Watoto? Here's some info I snagged from www.watoto.com:

Children brought to Watoto are from the most destitute situations. Many of these children have been abandoned and forced to fend for themselves at a very young age [AIDS and the civil war in Northern Uganda are the two most commons reasons]. Watoto gives these children the opportunity to develop in an environment where they come to understand their value. Watoto is improving the lives of these children. Watoto provides its students with Christian instruction, equipping these children to be Christian leaders and productive citizens of Uganda. This is proven by the hope and confidence displayed by those children who have become part of the Watoto family. Watoto is accomplishing its mission by focusing on the essential needs of orphaned and vulnerable children – specifically the spiritual, physical, educational and emotional needs. We believe that as the children are raised with Christian values, are trained academically and taught to over come emotional hurts, they will enter society equipped with the necessary life skills and moral values, enabling them to make a significant and lasting impact on the future of Uganda.

With over 1700 children in care, Watoto operates Baby Watoto and 3 Children’s Villages. This includes many individual homes in the villages and one large facility for the babies. Each individual home accommodates a house mother and 8 children. The facilities in the home for babies and in the villages have clean water, electrical power and an agricultural project that provides some food.

From the words of Joseph Chegum, one of Watoto's children:
Before Watoto rescued him: “After our parents died, we were the ones who were looking after ourselves. I was living with my older sister but she could not take care of us. We used to pick through the garbage to find anything which we could sell, and this is how we found money to eat."
After Watoto rescued him: "Life at Suubi is much better. I’m not worried about clothes or shoes. I’m not worried about food. It’s all here. At my old school we had to struggle to find money for school, books and shoes but here everything is much better.”

For the rest of Joseph's story click here.