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The International Children Network’s Matsiko Orphan Choir will hold several performances March 8-12 at churches in Hendersonville and Saluda and at Saluda Elementary School. The choir is made up of about 25 boys and girls ages nine to 15 who are from Liberia. 

“The children that qualify for the choir represent some of the poorest, most vulnerable children in the world,” says Reverend Chip Broadfoot of Saluda’s Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, which is sponsoring the concert. “At the same time, they are some of the happiest kids you will ever meet. They are using their voices to prevent child sex trafficking and break the cycle of poverty. Their visits are visits of love and joy.”

Broadfoot learned about the Matsiko Orphan Choir in 2017 while researching ways his parish in Elizabeth City, N.C. could assist orphaned and at-risk children. He asked to be put on the choir’s tour and hosted them in 2017 and 2018.

“Our motive was to provide housing and entertainment venues that allowed the choir to perform and raise money,” says Broadfoot, who moved to Saluda in 2019.

Proceeds generated by the choir tour and merchandise sales go directly to support International Children Network’s worldwide programs, including life-changing educational sponsorship that affords orphaned children a chance at a university degree.

“Matsiko is a Ugandan word for hope,” says Broadfoot. “This word embodies both the children and the songs that they sing.”

Here’s the concert schedule for our area:

• Wednesday, March 8 at 6 p.m., Trinity Presbyterian Church, Hendersonville
• Thursday, March 9 at 6 p.m., Saluda Elementary School
• Saturday, March 11 at 6 p.m. Saluda Presbyterian Church
• Sunday, March 12 at 10:30 a.m., Saluda’s Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration

The concerts are free and open to the public. To learn more about the choir and how to support it, visit matsiko.org.