Matsiko Children's Choir: Orphans from Uganda perform to publicize their plight

For the past four years, Shanice Kulusum has traveled around the U.S., sharing her story of overcoming the odds of poverty through song and dance.

The 13-year-old girl is one of 29 Ugandan children in the Matsiko Children's Choir, a group of orphans from the East Africa nation who will perform at a number of Utah venues during a two-week visit. The choir's name means "hope" in the Luganda language, and the group sings original ballads centered on that theme, in an attempt to bring attention to the problems orphaned children face worldwide.

The choir is sponsored by the Washington state-based International Children's Network, an nonprofit organization that helps at-risk children in less-developed countries enter college, with the aim of breaking the cycle of poverty, said Don Windham, ICN president and founder.

For Kulusum, the choir took her out of a dire predicament. In an interview, she explained that her mother couldn't afford to care for her after her father died. She was forced to fend for herself, missing three years of school.

She believes joining the choir saved her. "I was in a hard situation," Kulusum said. "Now I can go to school and be smart again." The teenager will return to Uganda in January, where she will enter the eighth grade. She plans to become a brain surgeon and an activist for children in need.

"Every child in the choir has a story," said Ugandan Sam Straxy, the choir's musical director. "We want them to be focused on the future so that's why we sing about hope. They know they will have a bright future."

Visiting the U.S. contributes to the children's enthusiasm, giving them the opportunity to see a brighter future, Windham said. Another goal for the tour is for the organization to find sponsors, in order to form a world orphan's choir.

Schedule of performances

The Matsiko Children's Choir, featuring young Ugandan singers, will perform multiple concerts in Salt Lake City and Park City over the next two weeks. Here's a schedule.

Aug. 1 and Aug. 5, 1:30 p.m. » Lunch Bunch concert at the Gallivan Center.
Aug. 1, 5-7 p.m. » Performance at The Gateway.
Aug. 9, 10 a.m. » Teddy Bear Picnic at Hogle Zoo.
Aug. 10, noon-2 p.m. » Performance at Sunday Park Silly Market in Park City.
Aug. 10, 7:30 p.m. » Performance at Blessed Sacrament Church in Sandy.

To donate to the choir, or for more information, visit www.matsiko.com