Submitted PhotoThe Amani Children's Choir performs in Acuna, Mexico. The choir has various shows scheduled in South Georgia. 

VALDOSTA — When Lindsay Gutierrez heard their voices on KLOVE radio, she knew she had to invite the kids of Amani Children’s Choir to town. 

“I heard some kids singing, and I thought, wow, what a really cool opportunity to possibly bring them to Georgia,” she said.

She spoke to the choir live on-air, and to her surprise, they agreed to her request.

New to Georgia, the 25-member Christian ensemble arrived a few days ago from Kampala, Uganda in Africa.

Though Amani is new to Georgia, it has sung in Dallas and Oklahoma City since landing in Houston last November.

The choir is being hosted at Stockton Baptist Church in Stockton, where members will not only perform but also reside during their time in South Georgia.

Amani will be in South Georgia through April 1, but more dates could be added, according to organizers.

Gutierrez said Amani’s presence is a “blessing” to the rural community.

Word spread of Amani’s arrival, and its itinerary has expanded from one performance at a local American Legion meeting to at least 17 performances in Valdosta, Lakeland, Sylvester, Homerville and Madison, Fla., with more shows being added.

Amani, a feature of Light Africa Ministries, has been singing for about 10 years. It is an extension of Kampala Community Church’s Sunday school, according to organizers.

The group works to spread God’s love while also raising awareness to an issue back home – children’s needs, said Freedom Kitengejja, choir director.

“The biggest need has been going to school,” he said. “We do not have public education. Kids don’t freely afford education to go to school.”

Traveling to places outside of Uganda helps raise money to get children enrolled in school.

Schools in Uganda have elementary-, middle- and high school-aged students all in one building, Kitengejja said.

He said some of the funding raised will go toward constructing more classrooms.

Gerry Brown, Stockton church member and Amani concert coordinator, sponsors nine children in Uganda and has been visiting the country since 2016 for mission trips.

He said residents there are hospitable and take good care of him when he’s there.

Being in South Georgia has exposed the Ugandan visitors to the American culture while also sharing some of their culture.

“I think people are genuinely nice people, and they’re really taking good care of us,” Kitengejja said. “People literally go out of their way to make sure we are comfortable.”

Choir member Tracy Nambi, 15, said her experience in the area has been good so far. She has especially liked getting a hamburger from McDonald’s.

“I’ve gone to different kinds of places and I’ve enjoyed them,” she said.

Nambi was hand-selected to sing in the Amani choir by a music leader in Uganda, she said.

“It feels good because I’m really trying to communicate something,” she said. “Sometimes, I get very excited; and then, I want other people to know Christ and the people to come in the same Kingdom that I am in, the Kingdom of God.”

Another member of Amani, 14-year-old Matthew Wasswa, said he likes the hospitality he has received being here and has enjoyed learning from other kids while also allowing them to learn from him.

Wasswa also likes eating hamburgers at McDonald’s, as well as chicken sandwiches at Chick-fil-A.

While 13-year-old Whitney Kisangala loves the American food and people, she said she likes visiting the churches.

“At first, I was nervous, but as time went on, I just feel happy because I’m getting to help someone know about God,” she said. “I’m helping someone out there, and I’m also happy because I’m giving someone back home a chance to go to school.”

It was Kisangala’s passion to sing and preach that persuaded her to join Amani, she said.

During Amani’s free shows, handcrafted Ugandan items are sold along with the choir’s CDs. Donations and love offerings are accepted.

Gutierrez requests assistance with food donations to feed the choir, according to a press release.

Visit amanichoir.org for more information. Email martha@amanichoir.org to book the choir.

 

SHOWTIMES

Amani will perform at the following locations:

– 6-7 p.m. Sunday, March 17, Stockton Baptist Church, 262 Church Road, Stockton.

– 4:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, Boys and Girls Club of Valdosta, 215 W. North St.

– 3:30-4 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, Chick-fil-A, 3147 Inner Perimeter Road.

– 4:30-5 p.m. Thursday, March 21, Youth Impact Center, 108 W. Thigpen, Lakeland.

– 8-11 a.m. Friday, March 22, Lanier County Primary School, Lakeland, 28 S. Valdosta Road, Lakeland.

– Noon-1 p.m. Saturday, March 23, Valdosta Mall, 1700 Norman Drive.

– 6-7 p.m. Saturday, March 23, Joyful Sound International Ministry, 1994 Briarwood Road, Valdosta.

– 6-7 p.m. Sunday, March 24, Lakeland United Methodist Church, 80 W. Main St., Lakeland.

– 11:30-12:30 p.m. Sunday, March 31, Unity United Methodist Church, 224 Unity Church Road, Lakeland.

Amanda M. Usher is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1274.