The Children of Uganda dance troupe -- ambassadors for the 1.4 million orphans living in Uganda who have lost parents to AIDS, war or natural disasters -- will present "Tour of Light," an exhilarating program of African music and dance Sunday, Jan. 27, at 3 p.m. in Memorial Auditorium.

The award-winning dance troupe of 20 Ugandan children is on a 17-city U.S. tour projected to raise $1 million to support orphans while increasing global awareness of AIDS and its devastating impact on children.

"Children of Uganda presents a vibrant and inspiring program of East African dance and offers Americans a compelling opportunity to make a difference in the global AIDS epidemic," said Alexis Hefley, president of the Uganda Children’s Charity Foundation. "These children are ambassadors of hope for the millions of children in Uganda who have lost one or both parents to AIDS, and the money we raise will allow us to give more than 1,000 children a chance at life by providing education, food, shelter and medicine."

Selected as "Best Performers" at the International Children's Festival at Wolf Trap and hailed as "first-rate" and "inspiring" by The New York Times, Children of Uganda tours the United States biennially. In 2000, the group visited 11 cities, winning thousands of fans through performances at the Kennedy Center, Stanford University and the White House, and on The Late Show with David Letterman. The group raised $670,000 to support fellow orphans.

"The Tour of Light is an exciting opportunity for American audiences to immerse themselves in East African culture rarely seen in the United States, shared by 20 skilled and joyful young performers with authentic instruments and costumes," said Frank Katoola, Children of Uganda choreographer.

The children play a variety of handmade drums, harps and xylophones, perform dances from a number of countries including Uganda, Rwanda, Congo, Tanzania and Kenya, and sing in Luganda, Swahili and English.

"The performance tells many stories -- that of Uganda and East Africa’s amazing history, its vibrant culture and, most important, how to persevere and thrive in the face of loss and adversity," Katoola said.

Uganda has the highest number of reported HIV cases in Africa. AIDS is a leading cause of death in Ugandan adults, killing more than 300 people a day and devastating the 25-40 year-old segment of the population.

The dual crises of civil war and AIDS in Uganda, combined with a high illiteracy rate and the absence of free education, have posed a serious threat to the complex fabric of family and village life that previously nurtured a rich oral culture. Children of Uganda was originally founded to teach orphaned children the songs, dances and stories that were in danger of being lost.

In Uganda, the ensemble includes approximately 30 young people who live and study in one of several orphanages in and around Kampala. The Tour of Light gives 20 of the most talented of these performers an opportunity to share their stories in the United States.

"Traveling with Children of Uganda has allowed me to see the United States and tell American children about my country and culture," says Emmy Anguyo, 17, a veteran of the Tour of Light who is in the 11th grade and lost both his parents to AIDS. "I want to tell America that no matter what happens to you in life, there is always hope."

Standard tickets for the Great Events offering are $20. To order tickets, request brochures or for further information, call the Box Office at 973-655-5112.

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