Scottish Catholic Observer

The Spirit of Life Youth Choir is set to perform a special concert tomorrow at Glasgow’s St Andrew’s Metropolitan Cathedral to help people affected by the devastating drought in the Horn and East of Africa.

The crisis has affected more than 13 million people and the UN estimates that up to 750,000 people may die in Somalia alone.

The proceeds from tomorrow night’s concert will be donated to SCIAF’s Horn and East Africa Emergency Appeal. SCIAF is already providing emergency aid to the afflicted areas, including food, water, shelter, money and long-term support to help people in Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya and South Sudan.

Rachel Lamb, SCIAF’s community fundraiser, said the agency is ‘so grateful to the Spirit of Life Youth Choir.’

“The concert is going to be a fantastic event and we will make sure that every penny raised goes to those who need it most,” Ms Lamb said. “Millions of people across East Africa face an uncertain future but thanks to the overwhelming response from people across Scotland, SCIAF is reaching out to some of the worst affected communities. Money raised at the concert will help SCIAF to continue our life-saving work and fund long-term support to help communities recover from this crisis and protect themselves from future disasters.”

Stephen Callaghan, creative director for the Archdiocese of Glasgow Arts Project, said it is right that the Church plays its part in responding to the crisis in Africa.

“Concerts like this are a great example of the great social service that art renders to society: whilst our brothers and sisters in Africa benefit economically, we ourselves will benefit culturally from the talents of the young performers,” Mr Callaghan said. “It is right that the Church is at the heart of this and AGAP is delighted to be associated with the Spirit of Life Youth Choir and with the work of SCIAF.”

The Spirit of Life Youth Choir is based in and around Glasgow, with its members aged 12-21 years old. The choir was founded in 2008 and aims to foster a spirit of active and lifelong citizenship amongst its members by donating all profits, after running costs, to charities working with vulnerable children and adults in countries across the world.

—Tomorrow evening’s concert will take place at St Andrew’s Cathedral at 7.30pm. All are welcome to attend with entry to the event by donation. For more details see poster below.