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Internationally-Acclaimed African Children's Choir(TM) to Headline Inaugural 'Fair Trade Live Concert' September 14 in Media, PA - America's First Fair Trade Town

The African Children's Choir(TM) performs throughout the world bringing hope and joy to everyone they encounter as they shine a spotlight on the plight of African children and raise money to build and staff schools. Their energetic and inspirational performance, which unites song and dance from the entire African continent to showcase more than ten languages and unique cultural dance traditions (and includes some gospel favorites), is sure to delight the Fair Trade Live audience. The 24-member Choir is comprised of children who could have lost all hope, but instead have overcome their circumstances to make a positive impact on society by being a voice for millions of children suffering inAfrica.

The African Children's Choir(TM) was born inUganda in 1984 following the brutal reign of Idi Amin, which left hundreds of thousands of children orphaned and starving to death. The singing of one small child inspired founder Ray Barnett to recruit the first Choir from among these desperate children. Their mission, described as a Journey of Hope, was and is to show the world thatAfrica's most needy and vulnerable children have beauty, dignity and unlimited ability. With a focus on education, the Choir is currently caring for several thousand underprivileged children throughout Africa and also serving as ambassadors for all African children who have become orphans because of the AIDS pandemic.

Each year, a new Choir is selected, and children from the previous year return to their homelands to attend school. Their education is completely funded by The African Children's Choir(TM). Some continue on to university programs, where they train to become doctors, engineers or other professional leaders inAfrica; while others receive vocational and technical training, developing the skills they need to lead productive, fulfilling lives. Many of the children, now young adults from previous Choirs, are working with The African Children's Choir and relief organizations throughoutAfrica.

The Fair Trade Live Concert line-up includes Ballet Folclorico Mexico -- Hermanos Avila, the celebrated troupe that performs traditional folkloric dances fromMexico; and the Brazilian band Minas. Popular local acts, such as electronic hip-hop specialists Slo-Mo, led by Mike Brenner and rapper Mic Wrecka and featuring Lauren Hart; and the band Fair Trade will also appear. A "Fair Fair" will allow visitors to experience global culture as they navigate a streetscape highlighted by the crafts, arts, dance, and cuisine ofAsia, the Americas,Africa andEurope and learn about the products that different countries export through Fair Trade exchange practices.

Media, PA declared itself America's First Fair Trade Town on July 8, 2006 by meeting the five requirements established by the British Fair Trade Federation, including having a certain number ofMedia retailers sell Fair Trade products, and ensuring that the Media Borough Council pass a resolution in active support of Fair Trade.Media's efforts have inspired seven other U.S. towns to follow its lead in the last two years, and an estimated 50 more towns are close to making the Fair Trade Town declaration.

SOURCE America's First Fair Trade Town Committee