Camp Fellowship Welcomes Back Ugandan Children’s Choir with Community Concerts
November 3, 2024
After an extended absence brought on by the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Imani Milele Choir from Uganda is set to return to the Upstate, rekindling bonds forged in times of adversity with two special performances. The choir will perform at Presbyterian College on November 13 and at First Presbyterian Church in Greenwood on November 17, marking their first appearance in the area since 2020.
The choir’s last visit to the Upstate in early 2020 was meant to conclude their nationwide tour with concerts across Laurens County and its surrounding regions. However, as the pandemic swept across the globe, the choir’s plans were upended, turning what was intended to be a brief two-night stay at Camp Fellowship into an unexpected 281-day refuge.
During this uncertain time, Camp Fellowship and the local community came together in an extraordinary display of support and compassion, providing shelter and care for the choir members who suddenly found themselves far from home with nowhere to go. Now, four years later, the choir is set to return with their “LIGHT OF HOPE!” tour as a gesture of gratitude to the community that embraced them.
“We are thrilled to return to Camp Fellowship, a place that has always felt like home,” said Samuel Straxy Kiberu, Choir Director and Leader. “The love and support we’ve received from this community strengthen our mission to share the message of hope, faith, and perseverance with the world.”
Kevin Cartee, executive director of Camp Fellowship, fondly recalls the uplifting spirit that the choir brought during those challenging months. “These children brought such joy with their songs and devotion to God’s love! This provided us all with the encouragement we needed in those times and a reminder of our connectedness to people around the world,” Cartee shared. “What we first saw as the crisis of having to shut our doors on retreats and a whole summer camp program turned into an immeasurable blessing accompanied by the choir’s beautiful spirit.”
About Camp Fellowship
Fellowship Camp and Conference Center, a ministry of Camping Ministries of the Carolinas, Inc., is dedicated to providing exceptional experiences in camping, retreats, conferences, and environmental education for all ages. By engaging the community in enriching experiences, the center fosters connections that promote better living, stronger communities, and personal and spiritual growth.
About the Imani Milele Choir
The Imani Milele Choir is a gifted ensemble of children from Uganda, East Africa, whose mission is to raise awareness about the challenges faced by orphaned and vulnerable children. Through their U.S. tours, the choir shares uplifting music that tells stories of joy and resilience rooted in God’s love. Their concerts blend original compositions, praise and worship songs, and vibrant African drum routines and dance.
