The State Minister of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, David Bahati, while attending a charity concert organized by the Ntongoli Band to raise funds to support St. Teresa Babies Home, revealed that the concert evoked his fondest memories of growing up as an orphan who was assisted by well-wishers.
In a very emotional way, the minister told the revelers at the concert that he decided to share his story to inspire the children and let people embrace the spirit of supporting unprivileged children because, according to him, you never know what they could turn into.
“This is personal to me; I am telling you not to attract sympathy but to affirm to you that God’s mercy is real,” he said while standing on the same stage with some of the babies under the care of St. Teresa Babies Home.
According to one of the organizers, Abraham, commonly known as Abra Keys, and one of the lead band members, the charity concert organized by the Ntongoli band at Nsambya Sharing Hall, was a blend of supporting a greater cause fused with showcasing a taste of live band in a more live manner, supporting unprivileged children.
For music lovers, the show pulled off by the Ntongoli Band was one-of-a-kind, with a spectacular performance with top-notch talent and perfection in the art of music. Clad in attire that sent a sense of style and star, the band sent the audience to another world with vocal agility and an extreme blend of instruments that left everyone wanting more. “These guys know what they are doing; they are too good!” one of the ravers exclaimed as the lead singer, Mugerwa Derrick Valentine, warbled off the legendary song It’s a Man’s World by James Brown, and R. Kelly’s songs.
The charity concert featured top artists like Irene Namatovu, Betina Namukasa, Afande OJ, Moon G, and the Kampala Boys, B2C.
Inspired by the act of charity displayed by the Ntongoli Band and the artists that supported the cause, different people made cash and pledged contributions to St. Teresa Babies Home.
St. Teresa Babies Home
Founded by Father Raymond under his ministry, Teresa Babies is a non-profit organization whose operations are primarily funded by well-wishers from the Ugandan community and a few from the diaspora, with headquarters at Najjanankumbi, Nyanama Piida, opposite Freedom City in Rubaga division, Kampala district.
The babies’ home activities are inspired by the works of Mother Teresa of Calcutta to offer wholehearted and sustainable service to the poorest of the poor.
The ministry aims to help vulnerable children who have the potential to reintegrate themselves back into their families and society if only given good care and support through education and value formation.
Many of these children are from families that have been affected by HIV/AIDS and absolute poverty, and Teresa Ministries has focused on self-sustaining agricultural ventures like livestock, poultry, and vegetable urban farming. Teresa Babies Home receives children, usually those who are abandoned and saved by good Samaritans, the police, and local leaders in and around Kampala.
According to some members, the Ntongoli band is looking forward to a long charity hand where a percentage of earnings from their performances will go to the babies’ homes as a means to support life. The band members have called upon the public to support them in the cause.
