This edition of Salina Sees You, brought to you by Drs. Cooper & Banninger, LLC Family Vision Care (1000 E. Cloud) presents:
The African Children's Choir, comprising of over 15 children from Africa will be coming to perform at Salina churches this end of November. The children's lives benefit tremendously from being apart of the choir and Salina is being encouraged to support.
By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
The African Children’s Choir is a program part of the Music for Life organization, which provides education, leadership training and life skills to children who are in need throughout Africa.
This month, the choir is set to perform at three churches in Salina as part of their 9-month tour across the US. The choir consists of 17 children, ages 8-11 all from different backgrounds throughout Africa.
It has been 4 decades since the inauguration of the choir, meant to transform lives through the power of music, education and hope. Throughout their tour they have been going to more than 100 cities across the country. The choir is known to captivate audiences with their heartwarming performances, bringing traditional hymns and African cultural songs, while sharing stories of God’s faithfulness through joyful worship.
Ray Barnett, founded the choir back in 1984 when he was on a humanitarian trip to war-torn Uganda, when he gave a small boy a ride from his decimated home to the safety of another village. During the journey, the child sang and that simple song of dignity and hope, became the catalyst for a program that has changed the lives of thousands of children.
“When I went back to Canada and people were not very interested in Uganda, I remembered this small boy,” Barnett said. “I knew that if only a group of these beautiful children could go to the West, people would be deeply moved and would certainly want to help.”
Each child in the choir has faced significant hardships, often with limited access to education. Through the choir, these children gain life changing opportunities for education and personal growth, becoming beacons of hope for their community
Daniel Tamale, is currently the Ugandan Tour leader for the choir. He was a former African Children's Choir member and is now volunteering his time back to the organization.
"I have never expected to be a tour leader, not that I did not believe in myself, but it's such a responsibility that calls on maturity and at the same time an open mind to learn and grow, so I am grateful for the opportunity," said Tamale on being a tour leader. "The children are having a great time and they are learning so many things."
The children in the choir, is the first time they have been in the US throughout the tour. Since September, the choir has been on tour and will end next year in May.
“When they first got to the airport back in Uganda, many of these children have never been on a plane," said Tamale. "Them coming to the US, they are seeing tall buildings, being in nice cars, nice homes... So just the experience of doing things for the first time has been mind-blowing for them and they are grateful."
Given Tamale's experience of participating in the choir and now volunteering as the tour leader, he stated he "speaks into the children's lives, letting them know anything is possible."
He added they use Biblical principles in helping the children grow and mature in their lives.
"It's the only way you can train up a child," said Tamale. "The Bible says, train up a child in the way they should go; even when they are old and they will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6). In our mentorship and discipleship, we use the Bible. These children have dreams, and they can be who they want to be in the future. We are training people who are going to become of substance and bring value in their communities, with an education."
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“The African Children’s Choir proves just how powerful music can be,” said Choir Manager, Tina Sipp. “These concerts not only provide hope and encouragement to our audiences, but they offer the children life-changing experiences that help shape them into future leaders.”
Throughout the tour, Tamale shared feedback and comments from people who have watched the choir perform at their churches across the US.
"People come to us and say, how are you able to be on stage with so much joy and yet, you are coming from such hardships? So, they get to learn it's not just about having everything that gives you the joy and happiness, it's the peace of mind that comes with gratitude and appreciation for the little that you have," said Tamale. "Many people come and say, if only our children could understand how blessed they are and how much they have. They will also say, they have been touched, they have learned from our culture, but above all they having understood that joy and happiness is not just about materialistic things."
Ever since the inauguration of the choir, over 59,000 children have benefitted from being apart of the African Children's Choir. Those children range from Kenya, Uganda, South Africa and Rwanda.
“At the end of the day, all the credit goes to God and of course we are forever grateful for everyone that pitches in, with whatever kind of support they give, because God does use people," stated Tamale.
Local families host the children in their homes, where they are able to share and learn about new customs, food and culture.
There is no charge for admission, and their concerts are free and open to the public.
Donations are welcome throughout the concerts and you can also donate on their website.
All proceeds go towards the different Music for Life programs, the children's medical care, discipleship training, and above all their education.
For more information or to donate, visit africanchildrenschoir.com
List of performances in Salina:
- Sunday, November 23, 2025 || 8:15, 9:45, 11:15 AM || The Ark Church Salina 2020 S. Ohio St.
- Sunday, November 23, 2025 || 7:00 PM || First Covenant Church 2625 E. Magnolia Rd.
- Friday, November 28, 2025 || 7:00 PM || Salina First United Methodist 122 N. Eighth St.