DECATUR--The smiling faces of the Ugandan orphans who performed at Sts. Peter and Paul School on Feb. 7 reflected hope and joy despite the many hardships they have already endured in their young lives.

Sponsored by the Ugandan Children's Charity foundation, the song and dance troupe comprised of 18 orphans ranging from ages six to 16 is performing all over the country from January to May in the "Tour of Light."

Alexis Hefley, director of the Ugandan Children's Charity Foundation, said that the dancing orphans are part of a "cultural exchange."

"It provides us with a platform to speak about AIDS and the Ugandan orphan crisis," she said.

There are over 1.5 million orphans in Uganda, many of whom have lost their parents to AIDS. AIDS is the leading cause of death in Uganda, with 20 percent of the population infected with the HIV virus and more than 200 people dying each day from the disease.

The spread of AIDS will be the leading cause in the projected increase of 120,000 orphans annually in the East African country.

Hefley, who lived a year and a half in Uganda, saw the dance troupe perform and organized the tour. She later created the foundation, she said, so that someone would make sure that the money raised actually benefited the children.

"Back in Uganda, these children were a source of income for the orphanage," she said. "They would perform for dignitaries and ambassadors who would pay the orphanage, which creates a cash flow for education."

There is no free public education in Uganda. Fees to send a child to school are approximately $300 a year, which is the same amount as the average annual income for a Ugandan family. The "Tour of Light" helps to provide the orphans with the necessary funds for schooling as well as medicine.

The children who perform are 18 of the over 600 orphans from the Daughters of Charity Orphanage, the largest orphanage in the capital city of Kampala. It was founded in 1972 by Sister Rose Myinza.

Hefley said that the children on this third national tour are fortunate because they are able to experience and learn things that most of the orphans in Uganda will not.

"They get to see a developed country...Their English is improved," she said. "They're also learning to help themselves and are ambassadors to thousands of other children with a spirit of joy and doing what they love, which is dancing."

The children emerge wearing brightly-colored costumes in a performance which consists of traditional African songs, songs of praise and cultural dances accompanied by African drums and instruments.

After their performance, the children were presented with red and white Sts. Peter and Paul hats, as well as a donation of over $3,000--an offering on behalf of parishioners, parents and children of Sts. Peter and Paul.

Frank Katoora, the children's choreographer and designer of the program, explains the stories behind each song and dance that the children perform. He said that the children really enjoy traveling on the tour.

"They liked Long Island and Dallas," he said. "They also like seeing the people and TV."

Julie Nanteza, 14, one of the performers, said that she especially liked New York and Atlanta.

"The buildings were very good...I like tall buildings," she said. "The people were kind to us. The children are kind. They get our addresses and write to us."

Nanteza, who is a fan of rap music, also said that she enjoys American films.

"We watch very many movies," she said. "My favorite is Terminator 2."

Knowing that their performances are helping fellow orphans in Uganda, Nanteza said, makes them happy.

"We feel good when we help people," she said.

Eronie Birungi, 16, one of the oldest members of the troupe, said she has enjoyed visiting places and meeting people.

"I liked the Statue of Liberty. I had never seen that before," she said. "I like swimming and I like getting friends."

"Most of the people are so kind. They are so nice to us and so lovely to us," she said.

Birungi also said she is pleased to be helping her fellow orphans, but that she is making the most of her time on the tour.

"I feel happy that I am helping them. I am enjoying this," she said. "I'm not missing anything in Uganda."

The "Tour of Light" made its stop in Atlanta from Feb. 14-25, with additional performances at Christ the King School, Atlanta on Feb. 16; St. Pius X High School, Atlanta on Feb. 17; St. Oliver Plunkett Church, Snellville, on Feb. 20 and Emory University's Cannon Chapel on Feb. 23.

DANCERS -- (l-r) Teddy Namirembe, Eronie Birgungi, Teo Nakanjako, Julian Nanteza and Rose Nalwoga perform at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Decatur, during their 1998 "Tour of Light," which brought them to the Atlanta area. The performers pictured are a portion of the 18 member Ugandan orphans’ dance troupe. Photos by Michael Alexander

LINE DANCE -- Ten-year-old Ugandan orphan, Rose Nalwoga, leads the dancers across the floor during their performance for Sts. Peter and Paul School, Decatur.

TRADITIONAL TUNE -- Members of the Ugandan orphans dance troupe perform a native song, accompanied by African drums and instruments.