The Seeds of Hope Children's Ministry will host a choir from Ndola, Zambia at the Nancy Appleby Theatre Dec. 18 at 7 p.m.
The Grace Academy Choir will make one of two stops in Alberta, the first being in Athabasca, the second one being in Leduc.
Cheryl Balay, the Alberta representative for the Seeds of Hope Ministry, said they are very excited to see the group make their stop in the local area.
"The choir consists of 11 young men and women who have overcome unbelievable challenges during their lives," Balay said. "Joining them will be two chaperones who are accompanying them throughout their trip in western Canada."
She said through their music, the choir tells their life stories.
"They want to share that story with their supporters and reach out to other people about the ministry itself," Balay said.
She added that while this is the second time this choir has traveled to Canada, this is the first time for this lineup of members.
"One young man with this choir was here with the first lineup a couple of years ago," Balay said. "But the rest are all new this time around. The choir rotates its members as the children attend the academy."
According to a news release, the choir will perform in both English and their native language, called Bemba. It added the vision of Grace Academy is to raise the children to be the future leaders of their nation.
Balay added that the choir performance also helps to fundraise for the ministry.
"The ministry needs support to help care for all the children at the academy," she said. "Seeds of Hope takes in children who are either orphaned or have parents unable to care for them. All the children taken in are affected in some way by HIV/AIDS. Either their parents died from it, or some of the children themselves are HIV positive."
She said HIV/AIDS remains a stigma in some countries.
"Its very devastating for anyone who gets affected by that," Balay said. "When these children have no parents, nobody else wants to take care of them, and they need someone. Seeds of Hope stepped in to care for these abandoned and rejected, and allow them to have a great life."
She said most of the children who come to them were in dire situations.
"Back when (Seeds of Hope) was first started back in 1995, these children were not expected to survive and live any length of time because there was no medication for them if they were HIV positive," Balay continued. "But as retroviral drugs became available, more afflicted children can live a normal life span instead of dying young."
She said while they do offer their services in other countries around the world, their biggest project remains in Zambia.
"That's the one most familiar with the people in Athabasca," Balay said. "Some children have gone from Athabasca to the orphanages there. But they are not called orphanages there, we call them children's homes because we want to raise them like a family. So, we have had a lot of support over the years from the area, and we are very thankful for that. And for the people of Athabasca to see these children on stage in front of them is really miraculous in a lot of ways."
Balay said since they want to share this evening of entertainment with as many people as possible, there will be no admission charge at the door.
"A free-will offering will be available at the event for those who wish to donate to the cause," she said.
