African kids from difficult circumstances offer concert tonight at Powers

YOUNGSTOWN

Nevaeh Clark, 8, Oasis Fredrick, 3, and Aleigha Mitchell, 5, bounced in their seats at Edward W. Powers Auditorium, moving to the songs and dances of the African Children’s Choir.

“I liked it,” said Nevaeh, a third-grader at C.H. Campbell Elementary School in Canfield. “I liked the drums and when they danced in their tutus.”

Her guardian, Alicia McKinney of Canfield, who is the other girls’ aunt, brought them to the performance.

Aleigha and Nevaeh are members of Harambee of Youngstown, an African dance group. The group’s leader gave them the tickets.

“We wanted them to get some exposure, to see a different culture,” McKinney said. “We thought it would be a good experience for them.”

The 18 choir members range in age from 8 to 11, said Carrie Lyman, tour leader. All are from Uganda. Some have seen their parents die from disease, war or famine.

Each child’s time with the choir lasts one tour, during which their schooling is provided by a professional teacher that travels with the group.

Read more about the group and their performance in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.