HAMLET — A traveling group of singing children from Uganda expressed their love for God during a special Black History program at Cole Auditorium on Feb. 26.
The Watoto Children's Choir served as the headliner for the event, sponsored by Scotland Youth Development and HOLLA! Africa.
The program opened with a reading of Langston Hughes' poem "Negro" and a performance of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" — referred to as the Black national anthem — by Desmera Gatewood, before the crowd was welcomed by Kimberly Harrington of HOLLA! Africa.
The organization is an extension of the Anson County-based HOLLA! — Helping Our Loved ones Learn and Achieve.
Before the choir took the stage, young Marionna Bennett recited the poem "Hey Black Girl" and Ta'Nyla Brooks performed an interpretive dance to Smokie Norful's "I Need You Now." Valencia Williams also later danced to Norful's "Dear God," and the Richmond County MLK Community Choir sang.
Between songs, several members of the African choir gave their testimonies of being orphaned or abandonded but finding a home and hope in the Watoto orphanages.
In addition to pleas for sponsorships, a love offering was taken up during the show.
The group performed the previous night at the Scotland High School auditorium.
