THE African Children’s Choir is heading to Cardiff for a performance at St David’s Hall on Thursday, January 14.

They will perform as part of the Inspiring Evening of Music at the Hall at 7.30pm.

The African Children’s Choir is made up of some of the neediest and most vulnerable children in their countries. Many have lost one or both parents to poverty or disease.

The African Children’s Choir helps these children break away from the everyday cycle of poverty and hopelessness.

Before joining the choir children, generally aged between seven and 11, attend Music for Life camps which are fun and stimulating environments that provide a break from daily hardships.

Once the children are selected, Choir Teams will spend a few days visiting the children’s homes to determine their needs and suitability for tour life. They then have the difficult task of selecting the group of children who will form the next African Children’s Choir.

Children selected for the choir spend around five months at the Choir Training Academy in Three Rivers, South Africa. Here the children learn the songs and dances, attend school, play and attend Sunday School at a local church.

While touring with the Choir, the children are exposed to a world of new possibilities. Chaperones, host communities and caring professionals share their wide variety of experiences with the children, exposing them to many new ideas and encouraging them to dream.

After returning to Africa, the African Children’s Choir provides care and education that builds on the unique international exposure the children experienced abroad. The children receive a quality education, leadership training and spiritual ministry at the Music for Life Primary School in Komatipoort, or at other well-equipped schools in their respective countries.

Selection into the African Children’s Choir means a long-term commitment and investment as the children are supported through their secondary and post-secondary education. Scholarships, school visits, camps and counselling are just some examples of the support given. The African chaperones currently travelling with the Choirs are only a few of the many graduates who were once part of the African Children’s Choir.

Tickets to see the African Children’s Choir are available now from the box office by calling 029 2087 8444.