Destiny Africa Children’s Choir returns to perform at the Pierhead

27 October 2011

A choir of Ugandan orphans will give a unique performance to an audience at the Pierhead on Tuesday 1 November, as part of a visit to the National Assembly for Wales.

The Destiny Africa Choir is made up of 20 children, aged eight to16, who have been orphaned or left with a parent who can no longer look after them due to war, extreme poverty or an AIDS-related illness.

Having previously performed at Downing Street and to the Archbishop of Canterbury, the choir has become renowned on the international stage for its upbeat energy and it is visiting the Assembly for the second time as part of its “Rhythms of Life” European tour.  

The performance will give an audience of Assembly Members, young people’s groups and the wider public the opportunity to hear the inspirational story of the children from the Kampala Children’s Centre in Uganda.

The Assembly’s Presiding Officer, Rosemary Butler AM, said: “The National Assembly prides itself on being an outward-looking legislature with much to offer and much to learn.

“I’m delighted that the Destiny Africa Children’s Choir is returning to Wales, following a fantastic first visit in 2010.

“After their last visit, I was encouraged to learn how the young people from the Kampala Children’s Centre were so interested in democracy in Wales and I’m pleased that they can come back and learn more.

“Today’s visit will also give young people from Wales the opportunity to hear about the lives of some of their counterparts from within the Commonwealth and the wider international community.”

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Wales Branch Chair, Joyce Watson AM, said: “As the recently-elected Chair of the Assembly’s Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association - which is sponsoring this event - I’m very pleased that this is the first major international visit for us to host in the Fourth Assembly.

“The welfare, protection and development of children and young people are especially dear to me. I’m very much looking forward to meeting the children from Kampala and learning of their story of hope through their unique style, talent and expression as part of the Destiny Africa Children’s Choir.”

A limited number of free tickets to see the Destiny Africa Children’s Choir at the Pierhead are available to the public and can be applied for by contacting Assembly.Bookings@Wales.gov.uk or 0845 010 5500. The 45-minute performance will begin at 18.15.

More information about the Kampala Children’s Centre and the Destiny Africa choir can be found on their website www.destinyafrica.org.

Click here to see a video of Destiny Africa’s visit to the Pierhead in 2010.

Click here to see a video of Destiny Africa’s visit to Downing Street.