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Tonny Mbowa helps the orphaned and vulnerable children of Africa.

"We've seen the Lord working in their lives, so that is why you see them shining."

Tonny Mbowa takes children living in "extreme poverty" and shapes them into singers, dancers and lovers of God's word.

"For us to take this child into the program means we're going to accommodate them, feed them, educate them and even teach them about hope," he says.

Mbowa is the director for the Hope for Africa Children's Choir and Academy established by the United Methodist East Africa Annual Conference in October 2007. The choir of 23 children ranging from 5 to 12 made their international debut at the denomination's General Conference held in Fort Worth, Texas, April 23- May 2. The children will continue on a choir tour of United Methodist churches and organizations in six states until the end of July.

Bishop Daniel Wandabula and his wife Betty saw the need to save children from their lives of complete deprivation in Internally Displaced Person's Camps in rural Uganda, Africa. Wandabula heard about Mbowa's talent from a friend and recruited him as director of the choir and academy.

Mbowa's life experiences parallel many of the children from the camps.

He was 7 and the oldest of five children when Idi Amin's army came to his village on a mission to kill pastors.

Mbowa's father, a pastor in the Full Gospel Church, couldn't escape the "Butcher of Uganda," who ruled the East African country for much of the 1970s. The unarmed pastor was shot and killed in front of his family.

"I remember looking at him with all these wounds … but one thing that encourages me: before he was shot, he begged to say the Lord's Prayer," Mbowa said.

Mbowa remembers everyone in the village heard his father's last words. "I felt really good that he would pray at the last minute instead of panicking because they were determined either way to kill him."

A short time later, Mbowa's mother died of cancer, leaving him the head of the household of three sisters and a baby brother. "Mama died when the last one was still breast-feeding," he said.

"It was so hard for me and so difficult to be the oldest one, but I couldn't do anything to help my sisters and brothers. I matured so fast. From that point, I knew I had to take on responsibility," he said.

Mbowa’s parents taught him to pray, and when he was young, he prayed for help. Christian organizers of the African Children's Choir selected him to be part of the choir that traveled throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.

The African Children's Choir, founded by Ray Barnett in 1984, is still saving and training children today. The choir has gained international recognition and performed in some of the world's most prestigious halls.

“For us to take this child into the program, that means we're going to accomodate them, feed them, educate them, and even teach them about hope.”–Tonny Mbowa

"From there––seeing the western world and seeing so many people who were loving and caring––I gained hope. I knew God had a lot in store for me."

Now in his early 30s, Mbowa praises God for saving him from that life, and he does all he can to give other children a chance for a better future.

"God has helped me," Mbowa said. "Everywhere I have been, I have been surrounded by children, one of the things I adore. I love working with kids."

"When you help such a child, they grow up with a loving heart instead of hating, instead of bitterness," he said. "Because somebody showed them compassion, they will also try to show to another a compassionate heart.

"I believe what we are doing might be small at the moment, but I believe once we keep on doing what we are doing, these children will become a great help to the entire continent of Africa."  

For more information on the Hope for Africa Children's Choir, or to sponsor a child or make a donation, contact info@hopeforafricachildrenschoir.org or cooordinator@hopeforafricachildrenschoir.org.

The following people contributed to this Profile:
Print story by Kathy Gilbert; audio story by Mike Hickcox; videography by Harry Leake and John Gordon. 

UMC.org Profiles are produced by Pam Price, 615-742-5405.

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