by Tan Szet Anne
Earlier this year, the Watoto Children’s Choir were in Malaysia and Singapore with almost 40 events held from January to March. As this was the final leg of their tour, many of them were itching to go home after being away for almost six months by the time of the interview. Yet, sincerity filled their eyes and joy brimmed from their faces every time they stood in front of people to sing, dance and share testimonies of God’s goodness and grace. Â
The Watoto Children’s Choir is a world-renowned choir from Watoto Church in Kampala, Uganda. One cannot resist dancing along with the vibrancy of their dances and songs, accompanied by heart-wrenching storytelling through media and live testimonies. Whether you are young or old, churched or unchurched, you will not be able to deny the hope and joy that exudes from the choir.
One of their song, Better Days, reminds us that there’s hope because ‘God’s not done yet’ and ‘better days are yet to come’ — summing up their message this year, a timely note the world needs to hear amidst the chaos, fears, and disasters plaguing millions today.
Over 100 choirs sent out so far
Since it was established more than 30 years ago, Watoto has sent out over 100 choirs throughout the world to bring God’s message of love to all who would hear. The Asia tour, with its base in Hong Kong, started making its rounds in 2006. The group that I met was batch 117 and included children aged 9 to 14 years old.
Ritah Angom, the team leader, having led multiple teams by now, shared that the children would have the opportunity to join the choir but once, and that it was a great opportunity for them to grow in their talents, self-confidence and perspectives that will inevitably affect their development.
This year, the choir partnered with churches from various denominations and institutions to share the stories of God’s healing and hope to the world. Every opportunity to proclaim Christ, including at the malls or in the home for the elderly is equally precious. Kenneth Wong, Project Coordinator for Watoto Asia, Malaysia and Singapore, resonated the heart of Gary Skinner, the founder of Watoto, that the mandate of the choir was firstly the proclamation of Christ, then looking for partnerships in the work and raising leaders as individuals and as a team.
Watoto ministries bring hope and healing to women and children in Uganda and South Sudan, building villages that now house 3,200 children, providing training and resources to over 1,000 mothers in the community, and enabling girls to stay in school. The ministry started in the 80s in a time of civil war and devastation, with a vision to rebuild and restore the nation by the fourth generation. “Such a vast vision requires the the partnership of the entire world,” Kenneth shared.
A discipleship vehicle blessing churches worldwide
The choir is more than a presentation and tour. It is a long-term mission trip and discipleship vehicle for both the children and adults who double as parents and teachers on the trip. The team is thrown together for an entire year – preparation time and the tour itself – to grow as a unit, picking up soft skills, language, and faith along the way.
Philip Odit, an assistant team leader who has been with the choir ministry for five years, says that he sees this as a call he is responding to step into someone else’s season and play a God-ordained part in their growth and faith journey. For him, the experience provides a level of exposure that trains the spirit and prepares one for what God has planned next. The next Malaysia-Singapore tour begins January 2026.
For more information on partnership or to book the choir in the next Malaysia-Singapore tour, contact kenneth.watoto@gmail.com. For a sneak peek of a Watoto Children’s Choir performance, click here.
