The world-famous Watoto Children’s Choir performed Thursday night in Houston.
The group –– comprised of African children who have lost one or both parents to AIDS ––sang songs and danced inside Hiett Gymnasium.
It was an encore visit for the choir, which last performed November 2010 in Houston in front of a crowd of several hundred people.
Watoto Children’s Choir has traveled internationally since 1994 as advocates for the estimated 50 million children in Africa, orphaned as a result of HIV/AIDS, war, poverty and disease. Accompanied by a team of adults, the choir presents Watoto’s vision and mission through their stories, music and dance. The Watoto Children’s Choir act as ambassadors to raise awareness about the plight of the orphaned and vulnerable children of Africa.
The choir’s performances are a unique blend of native African rhythms, contemporary gospel music and ethnic dance.
Founded by Gary and Marilyn Skinner, Watoto –– which means “children” in Swahili language ––was birthed through Watoto Church, a thriving local church in Kampala, Uganda.