On Feb. 18, a beautiful cluster of East African children inspired many through real life stories, passionate singing, and traditional dancing at Rio Hondo’s Wray Theater.

Almost nothing can compare to the tenderness and love for life that the Watoto Children’s Choir transpired that Thursday morning. Glancing around the lightly illuminated crowd, Rio Hondo students and teachers appeared to be motivated to shake and sway along with the exciting rhythms and melodies.

It wasn’t difficult to appreciate the presence of these children after hearing Innocence and Patrick give a brief speech about their paths on this Earth. Tears dripped down a few set of eyes (including mine) as these two courageous souls explained the struggles they had to endure before the Watoto program took them in. But the children effortlessly put a smile back on everyone’s face as they softly drifted into a song that talked about their newfound appreciation for the path of life that was given to them.

The main goal of the Watoto Children’s Choir was to leave Rio Hondo students and teachers the impression that life is much more than your struggles, and their heavily pronounced spirituality and connection to God created an environment of sanctity among the audience.

The chants, body movements, hums and ah’s coming from the background singers, and the percussion players all contributed to the feeling that no matter where we come from, we are all capable of discovering our purpose in life and expressing it to the world in an inspiring manner.

The Watoto Children’s Choir is made up of 18 admirable and sublime children. Their ethnic threads and cultural dance moves definitely reminded the audience that there is much more to appreciate during this year’s Black History Month. Although this group of children carried a sad story to tell about their upbringing, it became clear throughout their emotional performance that their past did not define them.

As fragile as they may have seemed because of their hapless stories, these children actually had a very bright sequel to share. The Watoto children exuded a peculiar strength and love for life that is admirable and refreshing to see. Their outlook on life has changed drastically and positively thanks to the Watoto Holistic Care Program, which has saved them from the rubble in Kampala, Uganda.

Surely enough, the Watoto program is doing an excellent job at rebuilding lives as well as providing hope and the desire to share it with others.

Since 1994, ministerial servants roamed all over the capital of Uganda, Kampala, looking after children and women in need of medical, physical, and spiritual intervention. The Watoto Holistic Care Program was initiated as a response to the overwhelming number of abandoned children in East Africa.

Additionally, the program introduced adults that have also gone through abandonment or health complications during childhood as leaders and re-builders of their nation.

Not only have the adults intervened therapeutically in these individuals’ lives, the Watoto’s model provided formal and vocational education for countless children, not to mention the much needed hope for over 3,000 orphans and vulnerable women and children across the country.