MARYSVILLE — The internationally acclaimed African Children’s Choir has returned to Washington state, and will be performing a free community concert Oct. 6, starting at 7 p.m., in the Marysville United Methodist Church, located at 5600 64th St. NE.

For 25 years, the African Children’s Choir has entertained millions at community concerts and special events around the world. Their goals are to raise awareness of the plight of Africa’s most vulnerable, while also showing the dignity and potential of African children.

The African Children’s Choir has performed on “American Idol,” “Good Morning America” and “Ellen,” as well as at Nashville4Africa, Live 8 in London, Nelson Mandela’s 46664 concert and special concerts for former President George W. Bush, Kofi Annan and members of the United Nations.

“The children in the choir represent millions of children in Africa,” choir founder Ray Barnett said. “They are bright, articulate and motivated. We believe they can make a difference.”

All of the children on the choir come from extreme poverty, and many have lost at least one parent, but in spite of their circumstances, Barnett explained that the children believe that the choir can change children’s lives. According to Barnett, the choir is committed to helping these children physically, spiritually, emotionally and academically.

“The needs of African children are so great, because of war and the AIDS pandemic sweeping across the continent, yet these children are so full of joy,” Barnett said. “They truly are the hope of nations.”

Admission is free, and voluntary donations are collected at each concert to support education, care and emergency relief for the more than 7,000 children in Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Rwanda, Nigeria, Ghana and Southern Sudan.

For more information on the African Children’s Choir, log onto www.africanchildrenschoir.com or call toll-free at 877-532-8651.