Schoolchildren on song to raise the roof for African charity

Schoolchildren on song to raise the roof for African charity

2 November 2022

A CONCERT in Down Cathedral involving pupils from Derryboy Primary School has raised £1,500 for an African charity.

The money will go to Challenge Ministries Swaziland (CMS), which provides help for orphaned and vulnerable children in Eswatini — which was formerly known as Swaziland.

Derryboy Primary School teamed up with Portavogie Primary School for the concert.

Choirs from both schools sang beautifully and were joined by a choir comprising young people from Eswatini.

In addition to the singing, there was fiddle playing and dancing — even in wellie boots.

Eswatini has one of the highest rates of HIV and AIDS in the world, which has resulted in many children living on the streets without any hope for the future.

CMS has a vision to make a difference in Eswatini for many generations through the development of rural communities, education, rehabilitation programmes, healthcare, sustainability projects and leadership teaching.

Funds raised from the concert will be used to support the work on the ground in Eswatini, providing food and shelter for families and orphans.

A delighted Dr Judith Harper, principal of Derryboy PS, said Down Cathedral was filled to capacity and she thanked everyone for their support.

“The concert ended with the chorus ‘Hope and Glory’ sung by the three choirs together. They were accompanied by pipes, drums, piano and full organ — there was even a Lambeg drum in the last verse,” she added.