Greetings!

        Happy New Year!  It sure is an exciting time for Children of Uganda and our 2012 Tour of Light music and dance troupe children.  As you may have already heard, the troupe arrived in San Francisco, CA this past Sunday,

All packed and ready to go!  Our dance troupe waits for their plane at London's Heathrow International Airport.

January 8th, to begin their 8 week tour of the United States. 

     Their first performance will be held today at Instilling Goodness Elementary and Developing Virtue Secondary Schools in Ukiah, CA whose students collectively sponsor two girls in our program named Ritah and Antonia.  Our troupe children will lead a series of interactive music, dance and cultural workshops with students and then perform  for the public at 3:15 p.m. PST in Dao Yuan Hall on the grounds of the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas (for more information, please visit our tour blog below). 

     We hope that you will be able to attend a Tour of Light performance in your area and seize this unique opportunity to meet some of the remarkable children your generosity and support has helped.  Thank you for joining us on this incredible journey.

Warmest regards,

Pamela Brannon

Executive Director 

     For an up-to-the-minute 2012 Tour of Light performance schedule, please visit our blog at: http://touroflight.blogspot.com/p/tour-schedule.html

Uniting for a Common Mission

Tour of Light Troupe Bands Together to Support their Brothers and Sisters in Uganda 

  I'm always touched by the strong spirit and determination of COU's Tour of Light troupe members, their commitment to dance and to one another.

Our youngest performer, Winnie, sings her heart out with an imaginary microphone.  Today, she will get to experience her first real show in the United States at a school in Ukiah, CA.

     In Uganda, we went to see another local dance troupe perform and in this show the girls played drums alongside the boys.  Our children left feeling inspired and could not stop chattering about it.  The next morning, when I entered the training center, I found the girls playing drums while the boys danced.  Nothing can stop our girls from achieving what they want!  And nothing can separate them from one another.

     We even had some children whom, sadly, we had to cut from our final group traveling to the United States.   It was heartbreaking to tell them the news; but without exception, everyone said that they wanted to continue training, improving their skills and supporting their friends until the day of departure.  They truly have come together like a family.

     We have had some fun conversations in anticipation of the tour: "What is a pizza?"; "Will we eat bananas in America?"; "Do they have traffic jams there?". 

Tour of Light Performer Mary Gorett practices the Pot Dance with her fellow troupe members at yesterday's rehearsals.

All of the children - except our lead performers and chaperons - are on their first trip to America. 

     When I told them that our first performance will be at a Chinese Buddhist school, where as part of our cultural exchange they will receive calligraphy lessons and see the traditional Lion Dance, they made faces of disbelief at me.  I can't wait to see their faces of amazement as they experience so many new things.  I'm also excited to meet many new friends and fellow COU supporters on the road.

See you on tour!

By: Talitha Phillips

COU Board Member

Tour of Light Committee Co-Chair and Chaperon

 Children of Uganda's 2012 Tour of Light is traveling across the U.S. this January and February to share the rich culture of Uganda and East Africa through rapid rhythms, quicksilver movements, commanding drums, haunting flutes, funny folktales and sweet songs of joy. The dance troupe's goal is to increase global awareness of AIDS and to help raise funds to provide shelter, education and a bright future for their fellow classmates.