afrol News, 2 September - Internationally-acclaimed African Children's Choir (TM) will perform at Media, Pennysylvania in support of inaugural Fair Trade Live Concert on Sunday, 14 September, 2008.

The day-long free concert and street festival, designed to raise awareness for growing Fair Trade movement, will feature many well-known global and local artists on three stages from 12 noon to 8p.m. and is expected to draw some 5,000 visitors.

The African Children's Choir (TM) performs throughout the world bringing hope and joy to everyone they encounter as they shine a spotlight on the plight of African children and raise money to build and staff schools. The 24-member choir is made up of children who could have lost all hope, but instead have overcome their circumstances to make a positive impact on society by being a voice for millions of children suffering in Africa.

It was born in Uganda in 1984 following brutal reign of Idi Amin, which left hundreds of thousands of children orphaned and starving to death. The singing of one small child inspired founder Ray Barnett to recruit the first choir from among these desperate children.

Their mission, described as a Journey of Hope, was and is to show the world that Africa's most needy and vulnerable children have beauty, dignity and unlimited ability. With a focus on education, the choir is currently caring for several thousand underprivileged children throughout Africa and also serving as ambassadors for all African children who have become orphans because of HIV and AIDS pandemic.

Each year, a new choir is selected, and children from the previous year return to their homelands to attend school. Their education is completely funded by The African Children's Choir(TM). Some continue on to university programmes, where they train to become doctors, engineers or other professional leaders in Africa; while others receive vocational and technical training, developing skills they need to lead productive, fulfilling lives.

The Fair Trade Live Concert line-up includes Ballet Folclorico Mexico - Hermanos Avila, the celebrated troupe that performs traditional folkloric dances from Mexico; and Brazilian band Minas. Popular local acts, such as electronic hip-hop specialists Slo-Mo, led by Mike Brenner and rapper Mic Wrecka and featuring Lauren Hart; and the band Fair Trade will also appear.

Fair Trade is the practice of insuring that farmers and workers receive a fair and stable price for their products and labour. In practice, Fair Trade extends well beyond fair pay and touches almost every aspect of the farming communities. Growers are encouraged to adopt environmentally friendly practices to ensure sustainability for their land and crops. Farmer owned cooperatives also invest back into their communities through health programmes, building roads and schools.

By staff writer

© afrol News

Related pages and feature

Current afrol News Top Stories