Then many returned with their families on Thursday to listen to them again at a free concert in Figtree.

The orphaned children are so renowned as entertainers they filled the large Figtree Anglican Church auditorium.

Vanessa Goodhew and Karen Jooste said many members of the community turned out on Wednesday to celebrate ongoing support for the children’s choir over the last decade.

“Watoto Children’s Choir is here celebrating 10 years since the first Illawarra building, medical and literacy teams went to help in Uganda. We had building teams go in 2006, 2008 and 2010. And a medical and literacy team made up of over 70 people from the local community. And tonight we have wonderful support from businesses. The new Wollongong Private Hospital has sponsored us. As has South Coast Ultrasound for Women. Different children travel with the choir every year and this is the tenth year since they starter performing in Wollongong,” Mrs Goodhew said.

Cedars Christian School has actively supported Watoto over many years. A team of prep and primary teachers have not only billeted choir members on  regular visits to Wollongong to perform...but four staff from the school sponsor children at the orphanage in Uganda. And they have traveled to Watoto on four different occasions to help build villages and teach English.

“Two of our staff are heading back there next holidays to meet with their sponsor child and go on a gorilla trek. One of the great things about Watato is they love to promote the amazing things about Uganda and let the world know there is beauty in this country not just poverty,” Mrs Jooste said.

Others have helped women in the north of Uganda where The Living Hope Ministry accesses training o they can start their own business.

Watoto was founded by Gary Skinner and among the aims of people such as Marilyn Skinner is to stop the need for orphanages wherever that is possible. One way of doing that is to help women so they don’t have to give up their children because of poverty. 

Many of the organisers and major supporters of Watoto Australia were present on Wednesday night. They included Mr Skinner and Australian director Luke Willey. It was the first time a Watoto gala dinner has been held in Wollongong. That was because of the significant support people here have provided the children’s choir. Further information at www.watoto.com.