THE Pearl of Africa Children's Choir will be one of the highlights of Plymouth's Respect festival later this month.

The singers and dancers from schools and orphanages in Uganda will perform on October 25, the Saturday of the two-day celebration of cultures.

The Pearl of Africa choir, pictured above, has a great national and fast-growing international reputation. You may have seen them on television teaching one of their routines to EastEnders and Carry On films star, Barbara Windsor, on the Paul O'Grady Show.

It has been far from plain sailing for the talented young performers, who have all had to cope with unimaginable hardship – many are orphans to the twin scourges of Aids and malaria. But they all share one piece of good fortune: they have been given a home by the Molly and Paul Childcare Foundation.

All the choir's income goes to keeping alive the organisation which provides food, education, shelter and healthcare for orphaned and destitute children in Kampala and Southern Uganda.

Today it is the lifeline for more than 2,600 children, across eight schools and looked after by 140 full-time staff.

Pearl of Africa will be performing on the Respect Stage, at Plymouth City Centre Piazza, on Saturday, October 25 at 2pm.

The choir will also be giving a free two-day singing and vocal workshop for children aged 10-12 at Saltram House, Plympton on Monday and Tuesday, October 27 and 28.

Places are limited. Contact Plymouth Music Zone on 01752 213690 or

For more about the 11th Plymouth Respect Festival and the full-line of the free event, go to