Print Issue: November 21, 2002

Our Lady Of Lourdes Church Hosts Free African Children's Choir

ATLANTA - In an effort to make a unique contribution to the lives of American children and their families traumatized by the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, the Grammy-nominated African Children's Choir, who recently sang at Ground Zero and the Pentagon, are performing their concert of hope and healing at Our Lady of Lourdes Church on Friday, Dec. 6.

The free concert will be at 7 p.m. at Lourdes, located at 25 Boulevard, NE, Atlanta. The concert comes as teachers are reporting that even children not directly affected by the terrorist tragedy are asking questions about everything from sudden loss of loved ones to fears about conflict, war and their own safety.

The choir members, ages 6 to 12 and who have themselves experienced the fallout of war, have recorded the sound track of a Hollywood film and made numerous appearances on TV in the United Kingdom and in North America. They have had many years of experience in working with and healing traumatized youth through music. They have used this approach with children in Rwanda following the genocide there, which tore the nation apart and left millions of orphaned and distressed children. The choir is also working with children in Uganda, Kenya, Sudan, Nigeria and Ghana. Children from these East and West African countries, who have suffered greatly from war, have grown through their experience with the choir to become confident, strong and healthy and to have hopes and dreams of a peaceful future.

The choir children have reached the hearts of those suffering grief and loss in divided communities, notably from both sides of the conflict in Northern Ireland. Through their joy and exuberance they make a powerful statement about the resilience of the human spirit.

The founder of the choir, Ray Barnett, said, "The children in the choir have been really moved by the terrible scenes from the United States and every day we hear of other youth who have been affected or are concerned about the future because of this situation. We had to respond to their fears and the needs of thousands of them. I know that our choir, with its international reputation and its unique composition, has the ability to do something positive and make a real difference to young lives."

For information about the choir visit their Web site www.africanchildrenschoir.com or for concert information call the church at (404) 522-6776.