HYMNS — Members of the 53rd African Children’s Choir sang during their performance at the Sycamore Youth Center, Monday. -- Christopher Dacanay

STEUBENVILLE — A performance at the Sycamore Youth Center Monday showcased the musical talents of Ugandan youths who are participating in a program aimed at raising them out of the cycle of poverty.

Sixteen boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 10 sang, danced and played percussion as part of the African Children’s Choir. Now in its 40th year, the traveling choir is a major program of the international organization Music for Life, which provides education, discipleship and leadership training to indigent African children through various relief and development initiatives.

Monday’s free show was part of the choir’s U.S. tour, entitled “Just As I Am,” and featured Christian hymns performed with a distinctly African sound and enthusiasm. This was the choir’s third time coming to Sycamore for a performance, recalled the center’s Executive Director Bobbyjon Bauman.

“I’ve always had a heart for missions and finding ways to help people, especially in circumstances of poverty,” Bauman said. “This is an opportunity where we in America can give back to children so that they can be educated and be provided with good health care and discipleship. And also they put on a great show, so I think it’s good for the community to see the beauty of African culture demonstrated in and through dance, percussion and song to God’s glory.”

Partnering with Sycamore to present the performance was Mount Carmel Community Baptist Church. Mount Carmel’s pastor, the Rev. Benjamin Calvert II, said supporting the choir is important because of “the hope that the kids have for a better life and a brighter future.”

To start the show, tour leader Jim Luzze introduced himself and three other staff members — school director Martha Namujju, music director Paul Muyanja and sound technician Joash Kiragga — all of whom were members of the choir in years passed.

“Just like the four of us once were, many of the children that you’re about to be seeing have been surrounded by severe poverty and sickness,” Luzze said, “but despite their challenging circumstances, they have refused to lose hope. These children represent the tremendous potential of Africa. They represent the change that faith and hope can bring, and they have traveled halfway around the world to share their hope, their faith and their joy with you this evening.”

Namujju would later tell of the choir’s history, noting its founding in 1984 by Ray Barnett. While on a humanitarian trip to Uganda — which at the time was stricken by a civil war — Barnett was driving a young boy to safety.

“That little boy had lost his parents and he did not know where his next meal would come from,” Namujju said. “But the entire journey he sung with a pure joy and dignity that moved Ray Barnett deeply. So, Ray thought: ‘Why not bring q group of children to the western world so that everyone can see the great promise and potential of Africa’s children?'”

The first African Children’s Choir came to the U.S. in 1984, Namujju said. Since then, the choir’s work has expanded into multiple countries, and it supports students in over 35 schools. The choir has educated over 59,000 children in the last 40 years.

Members of this choir — the 53rd — introduced themselves and their hopes for the future. Desired careers included engineer, hair stylist, author, pilot, accountant, lawyer, teacher, doctor, nurse, farmer and surgeon.

Video projected on a screen showed testimonials from other past choirs, who were sponsored through college or university through the program.

“When Music for Life brings children into the choir program, their lives are changed, our lives are changed and the ripple effect is felt throughout our families and our communities,” Luzze said.

Namujju herself recalled joining the choir in 2005 at the age of 8. Her father died when she was only 3 years old, leaving her mother to fend for Namujju and her brother by working as a live-in domestic assistant. In one of the homes her mother worked at, Namujju experienced physical bullying from the other children, which her mother tried to protect her from.

When Namujju turned five years old, she was taken to stay with her grandfather. During that time, her brother introduced her to church, which is where the choir conducted an audition. Namujju was “very fortunate” to be selected as one of the choir’s 25 members.

“From that moment forward, the trajectory of my life changed,” Namujju said. “I was able to travel the world and receive education in the top-notch schools in Uganda from primary all the way through university, and today I’m proud to say I have a diploma in early childhood care and development. I am truly grateful for the blessings and the opportunities that have come my way.”

Muyanja also provided his testimony, noting how his selection to the choir changed his life by providing formation that would impact his family and dreams. Upon returning, he continued his education and, in 2022, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in international business.

“I use my story to let the children know that there is a grace that lifts the lowly, the downcast from dust and sits him with kings and princes. And it’s that grace that I would like you to reflect upon as we sing this song: The ‘Amazing Grace’ of God,” Muyanja said, before accompanying the choir with a rendition of “Amazing Grace.”

The choir and volunteers then collected a free-will offering to support Music For Life and its programs, which include education, medical care and nutrition. Luzze said the goal is to raise as many funds as possible, and donations can be made by visiting AfricanChildrensChoir.com.

Luzze also invited attendees to consider sponsoring a choir member’s education. Through sponsorships of his own, Luzze was reportedly able to graduate in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in social sciences.

Luzze added that volunteers are needed to support the choir while on tour, including chapperones, bus drivers, sound technicians, on-the-road teachers and tour leaders.

The choir has two more Ohio shows planned on this tour: 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Tusky Valley Performing Arts Center, 2629 Tusky Valley Road, Zoarville, and 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Coburn United Methodist Church, 3618 Maple Ave., Zanesville.