At 6 p.m. on Tuesday, the Watoto Children’s Choir from Uganda, East Africa will be performing in the Selma High School (SHS) auditorium.

The performance is a collaborative effort between SHS, Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church and Boldly Unified In Life Development Community Development Corporation (BUILD CDC), a local non-profit dedicated to serving and uniting the community.

Though the choir has toured the states before, this will be its first time in Selma.

“We are very excited to host this awesome group of young people,” said BUILD CDC member Collins Pettaway, III. “I truly believe that music plays a large role in Selma and, with what has been going on in the city, this is an excellent opportunity to help raise morale and uplift the spirits of those who have been affected by the government shutdown and the local layoffs.”

The choir will arrive in Selma on Tuesday morning and be treated to lunch at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church before the performance that evening.

The event is free to the public, but Pettaway noted that donations will be accepted to support BUILD CDC’s efforts to host the choir and serve the community.

Donations are tax deductible and can be made the night of the event or mailed to BUILD CDC at 1548 F.D. Reese St. in Selma.

The local non-profit currently works with local churches to provide grief counseling to families who have lost loved ones due to violence and is working to secure grants to establish community spaces throughout the city.

“We just want to try to build additional morale throughout the city,” Pettaway said. “We’re always trying to give back and give to the community.”

Pettaway says buzz about the event is already growing – around 200 area students are already slated to be in attendance and area churches have been cordially invited to attend.

The choir has traveled the world for more than two decades and is the musical side of an organization that rescues and supports orphaned children in Africa.

According to a press release from the group, the performance is “vibrant and colorful” and takes audience members on an “emotional journey from utter despair to joyous celebration.”

“Other than coming to Africa yourself, what better way to learn about all the good things happening in Uganda than this stirring, musical experience,” the press release states.

For more information on Watoto and its choir, visit www.watoto.com.