Written by Sharon Holloway

To download the FREE IPOD video of the Watoto Night Click here.

The Watoto Childrens Choir from Uganda came to PICC for a one night only concert on April 23rd 2009. I was so excited about it- as soon as I knew they were coming, I couldn’t wait for the night to come!

The choir has 18 children and 9 adults, all of the children are orphans, who have lost their parent due to tragic circumstances. They are beautiful children who are some of the politest I’ve ever met.

It was almost time for the concert to start, the church was almost full and yet more people were coming in. It was great to see so many visitors coming through the door as well as regular members of the church all together for this special concert of hope. After a welcome and introduction the children came on stage and were ready to start, and the audience were also definitely ready because they were all cheering as soon as the children came on stage. Their singing was beautiful, a good mix of songs in English, and traditional African languages. As they were singing they would also dance, during some of the songs there were a couple of solos and duets by some of the girls while the others sang in the background. The children were so energetic as they danced. They were all so enthusiastic- it was contagious, you couldn’t help but smile, dance and join in with them. Alongside the children there were four of the adults from the team who also sang and danced with them. Everyone wore co-ordinating traditional African costumes, they looked beautiful. For one of the dances the children changed their costumes and danced to traditional drums- it was amazing how it all went together.

The night went so quickly and soon it was time for the last song and and dance for the finale. Everyone stood up to join in and cheer as the children danced off the stage to the sound of clapping cheering and whistling.

It was a great and very inspiring evening, I can’t wait to host the choir again.

Thank-you to everyone who came and supported them. And a huge thank-you to Watoto for coming!!!

You can download and relive the whole moment again with this video.  Please note that it has been formatted to be played on iPods.  A DVD of the night (costing a £1) is also available; please see Tom Cooper at the Church for further details.