On Friday 10th October the whole school community welcomed four children and their adult chaperone ‘Auntie Annette’ to Lordsgate School.  The Pearl of Africa Choir represent 1800 children who are looked after in 5 schools run by the Molly and Paul Foundation in Uganda.  The children are desperate fro money to gain an education, to access medications such as anti-malarial drugs and for food.  We learnt that a £5 donation would feed a child the porridge they are provided with for one month and that £10 would give a child protection from  Malaria.  Only four children were allowed Visas this year when in previous yeasr we have hosted upt o 15 children.  This was a shame and means it is harder for the charity to raise money.  However It was fantastic to see how Lordsgate children interacted so respectfully with the choir members that did come to Lordsgate during workshops that the choir ran during the day and  at lunchtime.  At the end of the school day we showcased a dance the children learnt to the song ‘Oshea’ meaning thank you  and demonstrated our drumming skills!  In the evening the Pearl of Africa Choir gave us a wonderful concert of African song and dance accompanied by the drumming skills of the young people from the choir.  It was a wonderful moment when our school choir joined the concert and sang two songs alongside the Pearl of Africa children.   The children were able to buy Ugandan crafts thanks to the generous donations you sent in to school and money was also raised though ticket sales and donations.  More information about the choir and ways you can donate if you have been moved by our links with this charity can be found at  www.pearlofafrica.org.uk.  We believe we have raised nearly £2000 for this worthwhile charity to support children in Uganda.