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10 Reasons To Catch Children of Uganda ‘Tour of Light’ Show

10 Reasons To Catch Children of Uganda ‘Tour of Light’ Show

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The award-winning Children of Uganda’s “Tour of Light: A Musical Safari through East Africa” is singing, dancing and drumming its way across the U.S right now. The talented cast of 21 Ugandan children and teens are all orphaned by HIV/AIDS. AFKInsider caught up with the group’s Executive Director, Pamela Brannon, who is currently on the road with the children. Here are 10 great reasons to catch their show.

Photo Credit: www.childrenofuganda.org
Photo Credit: www.childrenofuganda.org

1. These kids are talented

All the children in the group are orphans and the money goes to a good cause, but don’t catch the show just because you feel sorry for them. These young women and men put on a stellar performance — The New York Times said in a review, “…the stage, awash in vivid blue, was a veritable explosion of frenetic hips and pulsating drums. It was euphoric. Along with art, Children of Uganda is a celebration of dignity.”

Photo Credit: www.childrenofuganda.org
Photo Credit: www.childrenofuganda.org

2. Celebrities also love them

The Children of Uganda began touring the U.S. in 1996. Since then they have performed at the White House, the TED conference, inside the Googleplex and at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The troupe has also appeared on the “David Letterman Show” and was part of the Grammy Week’s MusiCares benefit honoring U2’s Bono.

Photo Credit: www.childrenofuganda.org
Photo Credit: www.childrenofuganda.org

3. At around $10 per ticket, it’s the best deal in town

The group is touring the U.S. for two months stopping in many major U.S. cities. Performances began in West Virginia Jan. 10 and will conclude in Uklah, Calif. March 10. In between the children will stop for multiple performances in Illinois, Colorado, Texas and California. For the complete schedule of stops, go to http://touroflight.blogspot.com/p/2014-tour-of-light-schedule.html

Photo Credit: www.childrenofuganda.org
Photo Credit: www.childrenofuganda.org

4. Raises money

The show, which is a collaboration of music, dance and storytelling, is meant to raise audience awareness of HIV/AIDS, poverty and Uganda’s orphan crisis. But it also raises needed funds for the Children of Uganda’s life-saving programs at home that include providing youth access to clean water, food, medicine and quality education.

Photo Credit: www.childrenofuganda.org
Photo Credit: www.childrenofuganda.org

5. Children of Uganda is a multinational collaboration

Founded in 1995, Children of Uganda is a registered non-profit with offices in the U.S and Uganda. Its mission is to support and empower as many orphans and vulnerable children as possible in Uganda to lead successful and productive lives.

Photo Credit: www.childrenofuganda.org
Photo Credit: www.childrenofuganda.org

6. Supports hundreds of kids

The organization works in conjunction with local organizations in Uganda to provide education and support to hundreds of children in need. Besides the tours, funding is derived from individual child sponsorships, as well as grants and donations.

Photo Credit: www.childrenofuganda.org
Photo Credit: www.childrenofuganda.org

7. 1.7 million orphans

Support is paramount because Uganda’s AIDS epidemic has taken a serious toll on the country’s children, resulting in approximately 1.7 million children losing one or both parents, according to the Children of Uganda website.

Photo Credit: www.childrenofuganda.org
Photo Credit: www.childrenofuganda.org

8. Promotes global awareness

Children of Uganda is helping to educate and support Uganda’s most vulnerable population, while at the same time promoting global awareness of the effects of HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Photo Credit: www.childrenofuganda.org
Photo Credit: www.childrenofuganda.org

9. Offers educational support

The Sabina Primary Boarding School in Uganda’s rural Rakai district is one of the organization’s initiatives. It sponsors elementary school orphans and other vulnerable children to attend classes at a school with a Western style of education — in fact the school has such a good reputation that some families who can afford to send their children to private school choose to pay full price to attend Sabina.

Photo Credit: www.childrenofuganda.org
Photo Credit: www.childrenofuganda.org

10. Offers holistic support

Good nutrition, proper healthcare and education won’t get you very far without clean drinking water. So the Children of Uganda organization focuses on providing access to all of the above.