Local student organizes fund-raiser for African Children's Choir
BY SAM TOOLE INDEPENDENT INTERN
For 22 years the African Children's Choir has toured the world raising money and awareness for those in dire situations in different parts of Africa. The organization focuses on helping children orphaned by poverty, war and disease and gives them the opportunity to make a long-term change in Africa through education. Their mission statement reads, "Helping Africa's most vulnerable children today, so they can help Africa tomorrow." It was founded by Ray Barnett, an Irish-born minister, in 1984 after the Uganda Prime Minister alerted him to the hundreds of thousands of orphans living in the war-ravaged country of Uganda. The organization has come a long way now, and they provide support and education in seven different African countries.

This summer River Bennett, a 16- year-old Nantucket High School student, is organizing a local concert to benefit the African Children's Choir. A musician himself, Bennett has been playing the cello since he was 8 years old, the guitar since nine and is now part of the school singing group the Accidentals and Naturals, on top of being in the orchestra of the New England Conservatory Preparatory School in Boston.

While watching television he heard about a children's group from Africa that was in the United States singing and raising awareness about their country. Afterwards he went on-line to try and research more about it but was unable to locate it. Instead, he stumbled upon the African Children's Choir. Seeing the sort of relief and education they provide through music really moved him and spurred the idea that maybe he could make a difference on his own.

The thought of a concert seemed most promising and he immediately received a lot of support from the community. The show will have over 10 local groups and musicians and the theme is "kids helping kids through music." Some of the headliners of the show will be New England Conservatory Graduate, Ethan Philbrick and the local a cappella group the Cobbletones. Lia Newman, a peer alongside Bennett in the Accidentals and Naturals and one of the musicians who will be playing said, "I think it is a really good way to give back to the world and people in need. It's just a really great idea."

It will be a free concert, meant to raise awareness, but all donations will be greatly appreciated. Bennett said, "It's important for people to be more aware of all the problems of the world and to realize that even though we are from a small island we can still make a big difference." The majority of the money raised will go to the African Children's Choir while a small percent will go to repairing the musicians' stage, the Methodist Church.

The concert will be held Monday, July 30 at the Methodist Church from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and all are encouraged to come and enjoy a great live show. And, remember along with that you will be given the opportunity to make a small, but meaningful, difference in the world. If you are interested in learning more about the African Children's Choir you can visit their Web site at www.africanchildrenschoir. com or contact them via e-mail.

info@africanchildrenschoir.com. I