Elderly Castle Hill residents will be kicking up their heels and dancing to a different tune when they are treated to African songs by Ndola Youth Choir next week.
The Choir from Grace Academy school and orphanage in Zambia will be entertaining residents at Anglicare’s Warrina Residential Care home, Castle Hill on the 15 August.
“This is their first international tour to Australia,” explains Mark Pentecost, Music Consultant for Anglicare. “We are thrilled to have these children treat our residents to some remarkable music and stories.
“It is a wonderful experience for our residents to have the opportunity to relate to young people from another culture and country.”
The school for children whose parents had died of HIV AIDS was established in 1997 by a Canadian Christian organisation called Seeds of Hope Children’s Ministry.
“Grace Academy is the only boarding school in Africa today that caters specifically to HIVor AIDS affected or infected children,” says Cameron Lawrence, Director of Seeds of Hope Australia, who has been instrumental in bringing the choir to Australia.
“They are able to provide excellent medical care and antiretroviral therapy (ARV's) for all their HIV positive children. ARV (Anti-retro viral) medication is free in Zambia but the blood work is not. Through our sponsors we are able to provide better medical treatment for our kids.
“All of the children in the choir have been impacted by HIV or AIDS. They have either lost parents to the disease or are affected themselves.
“With an average class size in Zambia of be between 80-90 kids and with our kids having a rough start to life, we knew we had to provide quality education to these children.
“By having our own school in the orphanage we are able to provide a better education allowing our kids to grow up and become doctors, lawyers, teachers, welders and be the generation that brings hope and helps bring a change to Zambia
“This is an awesome opportunity for these kids. Many haven’t been out of the country and it will be their first time on a plane. Not only will they see and experience a new culture for the first time in their lives, they will also be able to share their stories with the people they meet.”
Seeds Of Hope Australia is now tax deductible through their partner Global Development Group www.globaldevelopment.org
Media contact: publicaffairs@anglicare.org.au