The African Children's Choir
The African Children's Choir performs throughout the world bringing hope and joy to everyone they meet while shining the spotlight on the plight of children in Africa. The Choir is comprised of children ages seven to eleven. Each child in the Choir has lost one or both parents to poverty or disease. The most recent choirs have been children from Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and South Africa, and have performed throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.
Founded in 1984 by human rights activist Ray Barnett, the choir has performed at many prestigious events and concert halls, including for Kofi Annan at the UN General Assembly Hall in New York, with Bobby McFerrin at Royal Albert Hall in London, with Mariah Carey & Sir Paul McCartney at Live 8 in London and at Nelson Mandela's AIDS awareness concert in South Africa.
The Choir members are ambassadors for all children in Africa who have become orphans because of the AIDS pandemic. Each year, a new Choir is selected and the children from the previous year's Choir return to their homelands to attend school. Their education is completely funded by The African Children's Choir. Some of these young adults continue in university programs, where they train to become doctors, engineers or other professional leaders in Africa. Others receive vocational and technical training, developing the skills they need to lead productive, fulfilling lives. Many of the children, now young adults from previous Choirs, are working with The African Children's Choir and other relief organizations throughout Africa.
Ray Barnett, Founder & President
As Founder and President of the African Children's Choir(tm), Ray Barnett serves as the visionary and innovation for the work of the Choir, raising funds to help thousands of destitute children receive an education and hope.
Under his leadership, the Choir has gained international recognition, performing before the British House of Commons and the Pentagon, and appearing at some of the world's most prestigious halls, including The Royal Albert Hall, The London Palladium, The International Club of Berlin and the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels.
Through his work with the Choir, Ray Barnett has raised millions of dollars to establish numerous schools throughout Africa that serve children who would otherwise have no chance at an education. He has also been able to raise significant money for emergency relief and development programs in the Sudan and Rwanda. Currently he is working to help children in South Africa that have been orphaned by AIDS and who are battling starvation and disease.
Ray, an ordained Irish minister, residing in Canada, has been the subject of two television documentaries and has received numerous awards and honors for his work. These include the prestigious Cross of Nails, awarded by the Coventry Cathedral in England to recognize his widespread efforts to promote peace throughout the world, and the Heart of Gold Award bestowed by the British Broadcasting Company (BBC).
For updated concert information and further details, please see their website, www.africanchildrenschoir.com.
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