| Imagine growing up in an African orphanage or | | | | "Acting as their chaperone is a wonderful experience |
| isolated village suffering the depths of poverty with | | | | for the children and for me," Kyende said. "It's nice to |
| little hope for the future. Then one day someone | | | | remember how it was when I was young, to teach |
| recognizes your singing and dancing ability and invites | | | | them about other places in the world, and to help |
| you to audition for the African Children's Choir. | | | | them prepare for life. " |
| Suddenly, the world opens up and you travel to | | | | During the vicarious journey to Africa, many in the |
| distant lands, places you never dreamed existed. | | | | audience discover for the first time that the music |
| This happened to Tilas Kyende 20 years ago. Today | | | | and dance throughout the continent is rich in variety. |
| he is one of two chaperones overseeing 23 children | | | | The children from Uganda, Kenya, Sudan, Rwanda, |
| on a year-long tour of the United States. The choir's | | | | South Africa and other countries were raised in quite |
| "Journey of Hope" charms each city it visits with an | | | | different cultures. Hence, their songs and dances are |
| uplifting program that displays the dignity, beauty, | | | | unique to their individual experiences. All join in singing |
| talent, and promise of children who once were | | | | the gospel music in English, but present their native |
| overlooked. | | | | songs in more than ten languages. |
| The choir was founded in 1984 by human rights | | | | The children present one to two shows a week and |
| activist Ray Barnett who selected children orphaned | | | | spend three days a week in school where they are |
| during the war in Uganda. Since then, subsequent | | | | taught an advanced curriculum. Like Kyende and |
| choirs of needy children have performed in Great | | | | other members of past choirs, each child in this choir |
| Britain, Canada, the United States and many other | | | | will return to Africa and be educated in whatever |
| countries. They have been featured on major TV | | | | field he or she chooses. The roster of past members |
| programs in this country, performed with Sir Paul | | | | includes doctors, lawyers, engineers, business and |
| McCartney in London, and bedazzled those attending | | | | political leaders, and professional singers. In 2008, |
| Nelson Mandela's AIDS awareness concert in South | | | | Kyende graduated with a degree in business. At the |
| Africa. Funding for the tours comes from their | | | | close of the current tour, he will go back home to |
| performances and well-wishers throughout the world. | | | | Kenya and launch his own business. |
| During our conversation prior to the ensemble's | | | | "We want our audiences to realize that Africa, |
| recent performance at George Mason University in | | | | despite its many problems, has great potential," |
| Fairfax, Virginia, Kyende described his own bleak | | | | Kyende said. "These children from the poorest of |
| childhood in an orphanage and how his life has been | | | | circumstances are not only talented, but they are |
| transformed because someone having contact with | | | | destined to grow up to become leaders and make a |
| the choir happened to stop by one day and hear him | | | | new world for others. |
| sing. | | | | |