Posted on May 27, 2022
A Tanzanian refugee choir got its start in a Kansas City church. Now it's touring the Midwest
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The Salvation Choir, a Congolese Rumba band based in the historic Northeast, creates a community for Tanzanian refugees through song and dance.
Many members of the Salvation Choir made it to the United States and ultimately Kansas City after fleeing the armed conflict and violence in Congo.
"We leave Congo because there's no security for us, and then we moved to Tanzania," said Pierre Kung, vice president of the choir, who relocated to the Kansas City area three years ago.
"To be in choir is to be encouraged," he said. "I'm happy to be in it."
The Salvation Choir started in 2019 with traditional gospel music at the Messiah Lutheran Church in Independence, Missouri, where it still performs on Sundays in the gymnasium (services are in Swahili, but an English translation is offered).
Many members of the Salvation Choir made it to the United States and ultimately Kansas City after fleeing the armed conflict and violence in Congo.
"We leave Congo because there's no security for us, and then we moved to Tanzania," said Pierre Kung, vice president of the choir, who relocated to the Kansas City area three years ago.
"To be in choir is to be encouraged," he said. "I'm happy to be in it."
The Salvation Choir started in 2019 with traditional gospel music at the Messiah Lutheran Church in Independence, Missouri, where it still performs on Sundays in the gymnasium (services are in Swahili, but an English translation is offered).
A Tanzanian refugee choir got its start in a Kansas City church. Now it's touring the Midwest
Posted from kcur.org
Refugees
Music
Christian Music
Kansas City
Independence
Posted 2 y ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."So the idea of me being in a choir, I mean, it's the most exciting thing that ever happened to me," he said. "Plus you have like good people hanging around with you. You got family members, friends and stuff like that."
Pastor John Wilondja (at right) checks a guitar before a Saturday rehearsal of the Salvation Choir.
Albertina Wilondja, 18, also sings and dances in the choir.
"Choir's like a family," she said. "We don't call each other names, we call each other brother, sister, you know. It's just all about love, it's not hate."
..."So the idea of me being in a choir, I mean, it's the most exciting thing that ever happened to me," he said. "Plus you have like good people hanging around with you. You got family members, friends and stuff like that."
Pastor John Wilondja (at right) checks a guitar before a Saturday rehearsal of the Salvation Choir.
Albertina Wilondja, 18, also sings and dances in the choir.
"Choir's like a family," she said. "We don't call each other names, we call each other brother, sister, you know. It's just all about love, it's not hate."
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