Children of the World - FAQ

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• Who is Children of the World?

  Children of the World International Children's Choir is comprised of 39 children from the countries of Guatemala, Uganda, and Nepal.  These children, many of whom are orphans, travel the U.S. for 10 months raising the awareness of the plight of orphaned and disadvantaged children all over the world.  The choir, made up of three teams, began its 2008-2009 tour in August and will travel through June 2009, presenting their program to churches, schools, and other organizations.  Each program includes powerful testimonies from the children’s personal experiences, several songs in both English and native dialects, and a video presentation including footage of the children’s home countries.
  

• Why does Children of the World exist?

  Each year, over 9 million children die from preventable diseases, 1 billion live in poverty, and a staggering 153 million children, under the age of 5, suffer from hunger.  Even worse, many of these children will never be able to hear that Jesus loves and cares for them!  We feel that children are a vital part of the Great Commission and we must invest in the lives of those who need it so much.
  

• How does Children of the World help others around the world?

  During the 10-month tour, the choir raises funds to provide new children's homes or refurbish existing facilities that provide care and shelter for thousands of needy children around the world.  Also, each child in the choir is provided with a college scholarship in order to receive a quality education in preparation for the future ministry God has called him or her to do.  Many individuals who attend a concert even commit to sponsoring a child for just $30 per month through World Help's Child Sponsorship Program.  This program provides children, just like the ones in the choir, with the basic necessities of food, clothing, educational opportunities, and medical attention.
  

• When did Children of the World begin?

  Children of the World began in 2000 with one choir of 16 children from Nepal, India, and the Philippines. By the year 2002, we expanded to two teams, one traveling along the west coast and one traveling in the east.  And by 2006, the choir expanded once again into three teams—West, Central, and East.  Through the years we have had children from India, Uganda, Brazil, Guatemala, Nepal, and the Philippines as part of Children of the World.  Since inception, the Children of the World choir has helped find sponsors for over 33,000 children around the world.  We have also been able to help provide new children’s homes or refurbish existing homes in countries such as Uganda, India, Rwanda, and Zambia.
  

• Can I adopt a child from the choir?

  While adoption is an option for some children, not all orphaned or disadvantaged children are available for adoption including the children in the choir.  World Help’s goal is to help train and equip the children so that they can grow up to become the future leaders in their home countries who are able to reach the millions of unreached people where they come from. However, you can make an eternal investment in the lives of these children through sponsorship or even our education fund.
  

• How are children chosen to be part of Children of the World?

  We rely on our partners who work with the children on a daily basis to select children they think will be a good fit, mentally, physically, and emotionally.  The children are given the option of whether or not they want to be a part of Children of the World.  The partners consider it to be a great opportunity for the children to come to the U.S., learn another culture, improve their English skills, help other children around the world, and share Christ’s love.
  

• How old are the children in the choir?

  The children are between the ages of 7 and 12 years old.

• Do the children have school while they are traveling during the tour?

  While on tour, the staff members who travel with the children tutor them using their own school work, so when they return home they are up to date in their studies.
  

• Are the children in the choir able to go to college?

  The children who travel in the choir are part of the World Help Child Sponsorship Program until they turn 19 years old.  As a result of being in the choir and upon completion of high school, they are eligible to receive a four-year scholarship to the college of their choice in their home countries.  To review updates on Children of the World alumni who are recipients of the college education fund, please visit COTW alumni updates.