By CASEY NEILL
MEETING their sponsor child in Springvale last month was a deeply touching moment for a local church group.
The Watoto Children’s Choir performed at Faith Christian Church in Dandenong North at St John’s Church in Springvale in July.
Following the Springvale performance, Karren Starkey and fellow child sponsors Vilma, Molly, Sharon, Craig, Katy, Julie, Deborah, Haemish and Sue met the boy they’ve been supporting for the past year, choir member Zerubabel.
“We truly felt the presence of God that night. He shone through these children,” she said.
“We were especially thrilled to actually meet our sponsor child Zerubabel. What an amazing opportunity. It is something we will never forget.”
Their sponsorship began last year when the group attended another Watoto concert near its church.
“It meant a lot to us to meet Zerubabel as the sponsorship became authentic and real,” Ms Starkey said.
“We feel sad of course as this may be the only time we meet with him.
“However, it has deeply touched our hearts to have met with him personally, and it makes our prayer support and our letter writing far more meaningful.”
Watoto is Swahili for ’the children’. The organisation has villages in Uganda where more than 3000 orphaned or abandoned children receive the care and nurturing they need to become productive citizens.
The group’s choir has travelled internationally since 1994 as ambassadors for millions of children in Africa orphaned through HIV/AIDS, war and poverty.
“We believe it is wonderful that the children are given the opportunity to travel and can see how valuable it is in developing young leaders for the future,” Ms Starkey said.
“We pray that God will richly bless these children.”
Visit www.watoto.com for more information.
