African choir on a musical safari (From Wharfedale Observer)

African choir on a musical safari

9:24am Thursday 28th September 2006 in Schools By Daryl Ames

A dream of bringing a charismatic children's choir from a poor African village to tour Britain has finally become a reality.

With help from schools and volunteers across the district, the Singing Children of Africa are currently delighting audiences with their uplifting blend of music, drumming and dance.

The youngsters are enjoying a two-month musical journey, bringing joy to fellow school pupils and community groups.

They were at Ben Rhydding Primary School in Ilkley last week, where they sang in assembly before making new friends in the playground and performing an evening concert for family and friends.

The choir sing in their native Swahili and English, performing western favourites and African songs.

Ben Rhydding head teacher Carry Lynott said the performance had been "absolutely fantastic".

"It was something I had never seen before. It was amazing and I could tell the children felt the same. They were mesmerised."

The Ilkley school has been among fund-raisers for the trip, collecting £1,400.

The children are from Utange, a one-street village where many homes are made from mud.

Villagers must buy water, making it difficult to grow their own crops and few structures have electricity.

The Singing Children is an offshoot of a charity set up by Scotswoman Maureen McIntyre who sponsored a child after visiting Kenya in 1998 and realising many children were not getting a decent education.

Things snowballed and the Samson Chivatsi Children's Appeal has raised money to build two schools and provide education for over 600 children, among whom are the choir members.

Mrs McIntyre said: "The children were not chosen for their singing, but because they were confident enough to leave their village and tour.

"Some of the children have been in their village and nowhere else. They've not even been to Mombassa, which is just seven miles away.

"But they've risen to everything that's been put to them and have been fantastic.

"We wanted the children to see schools in the United Kingdom and to help change their own method of schooling, which is like here 50 years ago."

The trip is also aiming to raise funds for a village orphanage, which would be used by some of the choir members whose parents have died from HIV/AIDS and other diseases.

The eight-week tour has taken in Ben Rhydding Primary School, Ilkley Grammar School and All Saints' Church in Ilkley, Hollingwood Lane Primary School in Horton Bank, Bradford, Beckfoot School, in Bingley, and Addingham Primary School.

Emmerdale stars, including Ben Freeman (Scott Windsor) and Kelvin Fletcher (Andy Sugden) are among those expected to take part in a fund-raising football match for the choir at Thackley Football Club on Sunday at 2pm.

Tickets are available from the club, Shoobox in Chapel Lane, Bingley, or on the day.