The African Children's Choir is touring Canada and will perform at Southside Community Church in July.

The African Children's Choir will speak to Milton through song Friday, July 11 at Southside Community Church.

The choir is currently touring Canada and will be traversing Ontario from June to October.

A free-will offering will be taken at the performance to support education, care and relief programs in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Sudan, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa.

Schools and education facilities have been established in seven African countries to date, including more than 17 schools and a teacher's college in Sudan.

The choir has been performing throughout North America and the United Kingdom for more than 20 years.

Each year, a new choir is chosen from underprivileged African children who demonstrate musical talent.

The choir has garnered significant celebrity and media interest, and has performed with Chantal Kreviazuk and Our Lady Peace, as well as Josh Groban, Wyclef Jean and Sir Paul McCartney.

It has graced Canadian Idol and American Idol, Ellen and the Tonight Show, and contributed to the soundtracks for Blood Diamond and Running the Sahara.

"The needs among African children are so great because of war and the AIDS pandemic sweeping across that continent yet these children are so full of joy. They truly are ambassadors of hope to the nations," said founder Ray Barnett in a press release.

For more information about the African Children's Choir, as well as its itinerary, visit www.africanchildrenschoir.com.