STORIES of hope and a high energy performance by Ugandan children inspired a crowd of around 100 people at St Paul’s Catholic Church on Thursday night.
The globally acclaimed Watoto Children’s Choir visited Mount Gambier as part of a six-month Australian tour of their concert Signs and Wonders.
Each child in the choir has suffered loss of one or both of their parents, but now live in a Watoto village or a neighbouring community where they are supported by the organisation.
Congolese migrants and former Ugandan refugees Balolane Mudage and Claude Kulimushi were among the crowd.
Mr Mudage fled the Congo to live as a refugee in Uganda for 15 years and Mr Kulimushi lived there for five years before they arrived in Mount Gambier.
Both men said it was “quite special” for them to speak with members of the choir after the performance.
Signs and Wonders featured songs that shared the stories of the children and the hope they have due to their Christian faith.
“I was left abandoned and picked up by the police,” a young boy said during a break in the performance.
“I was then taken to Watoto and given everything that I need – Watoto is my family and I know that God has a plan for my life.”
Tenison Woods College religious identity and mission assistant principal Michelle Coote – who was instrumental in bringing the choir to Mount Gambier – said Watoto aims to restore dignity to vulnerable women and children in Africa and invited attendees to make a small donation to the organisation.
“The offerings collected tonight will go towards housing, education and health projects in Uganda,” Ms Coote said.
“Our small offerings can make a huge difference – so thank you for helping to transform the lives of these people and their friends and families at home in Uganda.”
