Walled Lake, Mich. — Alex Bbosa wants to be an architect when he grows up. He also sings, dances and says his "pleases" and "thank yous" so politely it's hard not to smile at the 10-year-old's charm.
Alex is from Uganda and is part of the African Children's Choir — now on tour across the United States — which will appear at 7 p.m. Friday at the Peoples Church, 200 W. Grand River Ave. in East Lansing.
The choir is comprised of children ages 7-12 from Kenya and Uganda who have lost at least one parent to AIDS or poverty. They perform about four times each week, tour leader Jessica DeMoor said. The concerts are free of charge, but donations are accepted during the performance.
About 25 children with wide smiles gathered on stage Wednesday night at Orchard Grove Community Church and erupted into dance in front of a packed house. The crowd was enthused and enthralled by the energetic renditions of "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" and other songs.
"I love to sing and dance," said 10-year-old Winnie Tendo, whose name is embroidered on her African Children's Choir sweatshirt. "I like to swim, too."
DeMoor said the group takes breaks to go swimming as much as possible. With a 15-month tour schedule, the children's days are filled with lessons and singing, but occasionally they're able to sneak in a trip to Cedar Point or the local pool, she said.
This is DeMoor's first full tour as a leader.
"I just saw a concert a couple of years back and decided this is what I wanted to do," she said.
The children are referred by social workers to the choir's staff in Africa to be a part of the program, DeMoor said. After being chosen, they stay in Africa for a couple months learning the routine.
"It's based on need," she said. "Kids who don't have anyone taking care of them, or they're too poor to care for them."
While touring, the children and chaperones stay with members of each church's congregation.
Christine Johnson, whose husband is the senior pastor at the Peoples Church, is getting ready for her overnight guests.
"We have a big home and plenty of rooms and love to have it filled," she said.
Johnson said she's required to feed members of the choir a healthy lunch and breakfast and plans on taking them to the playground across the street to "wear off some steam before they leave."
During the concert, the Ugandan and Kenyan children perform songs, dances, and some even play instruments. About halfway through the event, the children make a presentation explaining their group and pass a freewill collection plate.
Because of the donations, the children are able to return to Africa and have their schooling paid for through college, DeMoor said.
Jati MacKimmie, outreach coordinator for the Peoples Church, said they've been waiting to have the choir perform for a year and a half.
"We're really excited to be hosting them," she said. "They're a great group of kids, and it's an incredible organization."
The choir is in high demand. DeMoor said the group has taken time to perform for celebrities in California at a pre-Oscar party and sing in New York for the U.N. General Assembly.
Salena Begley, administrative assistant at Orchard Grove Community Church, said they've hosted the choir before and are happy to have them a second time.
Johnson is looking forward to the company of such vibrant youth.
"I'm sure they're just beautiful children, and I like music," she said. "It should be a win-win situation."
