Children's choir inspires students

The Matsiko Children's Choir, comprised of 35 Ugandan orphans, treated the fifth and sixth grade students at Sisters Middle School to an hour of singing and dancing on Friday, January 8, that left everyone in the crowd with a smile and possibly a new perspective on the impact of education.

Sixth grade teachers Carol Packard and Deirdre Kanzig invited the group to come as a tie-in to the sixth graders study of Africa last term.

"Any time you can expose American children to children from other countries it is a valuable learning experience," said Kanzig.

The choir, which has been touring in the U.S. since June in 17 different states thus far, spent about a week in the region, performing at churches, community centers and schools. The children, aged seven to 14, are benefactors of a project that began in Covington, Washington in the 1990s as a local church outreach, that has blossomed into an international program now known as the International Children's Network (ICN).

Through ICN, houses are built for orphans in underprivileged countries, allowing children to be cared for and educated.

Matsiko means "hope" in one Ugandan language, which was reflected in the songs and stories shared by the group. One girl, Rhoda, shared that getting an education means hope for her future. Without it, a life of poverty and homelessness would be virtually certain.

"The message is very inspiring and moving," said community member Gale Larsen, who attended the performance.

Rhoda also shared that she has really enjoyed visiting the United States and loved the group's visit to Disneyland, and has taken a special liking to American pizza.

"I will miss it when I go home," she said.

Sixth grader Breanna Romera was captivated by the group's performance.

"I loved the dancing, especially when two of the boys did handstands," she said. "I wish they could come back."

The performances, along with the sales of compact discs and other merchandise, help cover the costs of the tour as well as raising money and awareness for other children in Uganda. The group arranges for the children to stay in private homes during their tour. This saves money and allows the children to interact with American families, according to founder and president, Don Windham, who was with the group.

The choir will return to their home near Kampala, Uganda in late February, where they will get back to their routine schoolwork. Another group of children is preparing for the 2010-11 tour by Matsiko, so Breanna Romero might get her wish after all.

To learn more about International Children's Network go to http://www.icnchildren.net.