Horizon International's acclaimed ambassador choir from Capetown, South Africa, the Kuyasa Kids, return to Casper in April for several concerts.The major public event in Casper takes place April 7 at Highland Park Community Church (HPCC). The free performance will feature the community's own Casper Children's Chorale, under the direction of Marcia Patton. The concert begins at 6 pm. A free-will offering will be taken.

The Kuyasa Kids will also perform at HPCC's three weekend church services, Saturday night, April 6, at 5 pm and the two Sunday services on April 7, at 8:45 and 10:45 am. The group takes a break on Monday, then returns to the stage, performing at St. Anthony's Tri-Parish School on Tuesday, April 9 at 9:30 am. People are welcome to attend any of the performances, however, the Casper Children's Chorale will be participating only in the Sunday evening, April 7 at 6 pm performance, according to event organizers.

Additionally, the group will perform in several other Wyoming communities during their spring 2013 United States tour, including Douglas, Thermopolis, Riverton, Worland, Buffalo, and Sheridan.

The Kuyasa Kids performed in Casper in 2007, according to co-organizer of the Casper event, Vicki Orcutt. However, this year’s performance will not be a repeat of six years ago. New routines, costumes, and music will enlighten the senses of audience members, said Betsy Vigneri, who is also a co-organizer.

“These children are goodwill ambassadors for AIDS orphans in South Africa,” she said. “This tour is not a repeat performance [of 2007] – their routine has changed since last time. They are a very energetic group of kids!”

 

 

 

The Kuyasa Kids come from a Xhosa tribal township called Kayamandi, approximately 25 miles from Capetown, Western Cape Province, South Africa. Kuyasa is a Xhosa term meaning “sun rising”. The group celebrates South Africa tradition and culture through song and dance. The Kuyasa Kids consist of children between the ages of 8 and 18. Some of the children and youth traveling as part of the choir are making their ninth United States concert tour. Casper is one of several stops during their Spring Choir Tour, which runs March 24 – April 14, 2013. The group will perform concerts in 20 other locations in South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, in additional to their Wyoming venues.

The purpose of the tour is to encourage American families to sponsor African children and youth who have lost their parents to the HIV/AIDS pandemic affecting the continent of Africa.

Horizon International is a non-profit Christian relief development organization dedicated to creating a world of hope for orphans affected by HIV/AIDS. The Pendleton, Indiana-based organization serves these orphans and their communities regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender, enabling them to break the cycle of poverty and live free from the bonds of such despair and disease.

Sponsorship of a child through Horizon International costs $35/month. The money is used to provide an African AIDS orphan with basic food, clothing, health care, an education, and, in some cases, a place to live.

For more information on the Kuyasa Kids in general, their concert tour, and Horizon International, visit Horizon's website at www.horizoninternationalinc.com or call toll-free at (866) 778-7020.

More From 104.7 KISS-FM