WATOTO CHILDREN’S CHOIR FROM UGANDA - SINGING THEIR WAY ACROSS MIDWEST

Watoto means “The Children”, and these children are on a mission. Through their inspirational songs and compelling stories, the Watoto Children’s Choir is spreading a message of hope for Africa’s children.

In 1994, Gary and Marilyn Skinner were moved with compassion concerning the critical orphan crisis in Uganda. As a result, Watoto Child Care Ministries was established as an outreach of Kampala Pentecostal Church. Today, Watoto is caring for over 1500 parentless children by providing physical, emotional, educational and spiritual care.

The goal of Watoto is to raise the next generation of Ugandan leaders by pursuing excellence in academic and practical skills, integrity in conduct and moral values, so that each child becomes a responsible and productive citizen.

Since 1994, the Watoto Children’s Choirs have toured internationally as ambassadors for orphan children in Uganda. “Concerts of Hope” inform people of Watoto’s vital work and afford audiences the opportunity to participate in restoring hope and dignity to some of Africa’s most needy children.

Each child in the choir has experienced tremendous personal tragedy, having lost one or both parents in the African AIDS crisis or other calamities. Now through their music and dance, audiences around the world witness the life-transforming love of God experienced by the children of Watoto.

The choir’s music and multimedia presentation is a soulful fusion of gospel and contemporary African style. Dressed in colorful costume, the children’s enthusiastic song and energetic dance has moved audiences world-wide.

The Watoto Children’s Choir will be featured as part of the annual MLK day community celebration at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio on Monday January 21, 2008 at 7:00pm in Kelly Hall.  This event is free and open to the public.

For more information on this and other events planned for the day please visit this website at www.antioch-college.edu/Campus/csk/index.html

Contact: Menelek Alexander (937) 769-1790.  malexander@antioch-college.edu

The Coretta Scott King Center for Cultural and Intellectual Freedom

“Where Campus and Community Meet”

The mission of the Coretta Scott King Center is to lead Antioch, located in Yellow Springs, Ohio, and the surrounding communities through programming, teaching and research by creating an environment in which members come to understand freedom by developing strategies that facilitate diversity, instill responsibility, and reinforce equality and justice.