Bainbridge residents are in for a treat this Friday, as 18 Ugandan children from the Daraja Children’s Choir will be performing a variation of songs in English and Swahili at West Bainbridge Elementary and West Street Baptist Church.

The children, ages 10-12, are selected based on their talent every year and get the opportunity to gain a formal education and see the Southeastern part of the United States.

The children are packed into a rented bus with two teachers and multiple chaperones that teach them a lesson each day. Two days of the week, however are dedicated to their musical performance. The children and their chaperones stay with host church families, one of which was Kevin Horton.

Horton said the kids really enjoy getting to participate in American culture and do activities that are local to certain areas. Last year, Horton took his family to Uncle Bill’s and joined some other children on the lake, who got to ride in a boat. Other kids got to go mudding in a jeep or take a trip to the Tallahassee Zoo.

The children are able to talk about and reflect on their experience at the Q&A session after the sermon in the churches they attend. Horton said the children talk about what their favorite part of American culture has been so far or their favorite American food or pastime. They can also relay to how it compares at home.

Once the Q&A session is over, the children pair off with anyone in the audience and pray with them. They can pray for travels to come or family back home, whatever may be on their mind is what the congregation focuses on.

Horton hopes everyone can join them at West Street Baptist Church on Friday, March 8 at 7 p.m. They will also be performing at WBE at 2 p.m. on Friday for the students to enjoy and interact with.

Once they complete their time here, they will be visiting Louisiana, where they hope to continue bringing music to American ears and learning about the states.