The group of 18 children are being hosted by Raymond Terrace Community Church and will perform their free concert Signs & Wonders at the Richardson Road church from 7pm on September 14, which the community is invited to attend.

Each child in the choir has suffered the loss of one or both of their parents but now live in a Watoto village or a neighbouring community where they are supported by Watoto’s Neighborhood project.

Watoto Children’s Choir member Ivan Masembe, 13, said he is excited tour Australia.

“I hope to see kangaroos and look forward to meeting people at the different places we’ll be performing at. My favourite thing about the production is the dancing,” he said.

Merchandise made by mothers in Ugunda, which generates income for them as they train to sew and make jewellery, will be sold at the Terrace concert.

Since 1994, Watoto Children’s Choirs have travelled the world sharing the plight of Africa’s orphaned children.

Ivan’s father had abandoned their family, leaving his unemployed mother without support.

Through the Watoto Neighbourhood project, Ivan’s mother was equipped with practical skills to help support herself and her family.

Ivan was also offered the opportunity to be educated at a Watoto school.

“Since joining Watoto, I have learned how to be excellent in everything I do,” Ivan said. “They have taught me how to respect people, work with others, and help my mother.

“While I’m on the road with the choir, I am going to share the story of the miracles that Jesus has done in my life, and I hope it will help people to know that, in Christ, there is nothing to fear”. 

Raymond Terrace Community Church can be found at 10 Richardson Rd, Raymond Terrace.

More on the children’s choir here.