The CHOSEN is a song and dance group comprised of six children ranging in ages from 5-12 years old who are in the care of AOET Uganda, representing the thousands of AIDS orphans. Debuting in 2003, Chosen has achieved acclaim across the globe, having performed a diverse repertoire of song and dance throughout many districts in Uganda, Kenya and the United States.
The choir’s performance is breathtaking as they sing Christian songs of joy, adoration and praise in five different languages including English, Luganda and Zulu (South Africa). The group performs professionally arranged music from Uganda along with creative and choreographed dance steps.
Dressed colorfully, the choir captivates the heart through music and dance. We view this team and its performances not simply as entertainment, but also as ministry. We have seen many people recommit themselves to the Lord after watching the children perform and hearing the message in their music. We have seen lives changed, and so we are not only looking to touch those within the church, but everyone who listens to their music.
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The Chosen have been giving their testimonies during performances, and we wanted to share one story with you in Perusi’s own words:
“Several years ago it was very hard for people to get food, so my mother would work washing clothes to get money for us to be able to buy food. One day she was washing clothes in the office of AOET, and they followed her home to see where she lived. Our house was about to fall on us because in Uganda some houses are made of mud with some sticks on them. And because of the heavy rains that wash away the mud, our house was about to fall on us. I thank God that these people had a heart to care and they helped us repair our house. Last time when we returned from the United States each of us received some money to buy our own land, and now my family lives in a proper house. It is not common for people to own their own land in Uganda, and when they can’t pay the rent at the end of the month, the landlord just throws their things out on the street. And I thank God that my family now has our own land and He has removed those obstacles from us.”
Thank you to all of you that have also had a heart to care and joined the work of AOET for the children in Uganda.
The Chosen are on a two-month tour, raising awareness about what is going on in Uganda, and asking people to partner with AOET in the vision to see all children grow to their full potential. There are a variety of ways you can be involved: sponsoring a child for $30/month, volunteering with AOET in Uganda, helping to schedule Chosen performances, marketing crafts made by the widows’ groups. For more information about AOET, please visit: www.aoet.org or email Ginger Damron: gdamron@aoet.org
Friday night we were at Loving God Evangel Ministries in Kansas City, MO. The Chosen had been there a little over a year ago and left quite an impression on the youth group. They were excited for them to come back and put together their own music and dance performance as a gift to the Chosen. It was followed by one of the most energetic performances I’ve ever seen from the Chosen. They fed off the warmth and enthusiasm from the audience, and felt right at home surrounded by so many people that truly care about and want to encourage them in what they are doing. When we got in the car, one of the kids exclaimed, “That was the best performance!” It is so great to see the relationships that are being built and the connections all across the country, as so many people open up their lives and hearts to the children of Uganda.
The Chosen completed a very successful series of performances in New York from January 12-15.
In three and a half days they appeared at three churches, a retirement home, and three elementary schools, performing to a total of 1,500 appreciative New Yorkers. Seven area newspapers covered The Chosen, with effusive praise. Two of the articles are on the websites poststar.com and saratogian.com, under a search for Uganda. The poststar.com site also has a brief video clip.
The audiences opened their hearts and their wallets to the impassioned pleas of the children and of Nancy Tushabe (some enthusiastic pastors also helped). A total of over $7,700 was donated from offerings, CD sales, and jewelry sales. Additionally, 25 new sponsors of Ugandan children signed up, and more are expected.
At the schools, children are mobilizing to provide further assistance. One school is raising funds to pay for an additional suitcase that a volunteer team will take to AOET in February, filled with dictionaries and other school supplies. Another group of children are planning to sponsor a child.
When not performing, The Chosen enjoyed playing in the snow, eating lots of ice cream, and interacting with the three host families.
Expectations were high prior to the arrival of The Chosen, and they were greatly exceeded.
Welcome to the new website of the Chosen, from Uganda! We’re busy constructing our site, but please check back as we make changes and improvements! God Bless!