Help offered to Ugandan children’s choir victimized by thieves in B.C.

NANAIMO, B.C. – Canadians are offering a helping hand to members of a children’s choir from Kampala, Uganda, victimized by thieves on Vancouver Island.

RCMP Const. Gary O’Brien says his Nanaimo, B.C., detachment is working to set up a bank account after receiving several calls from people hoping to donate to the Watoto (wuh-TOW’-tow) Children’s Choir.

It is made up of youngsters orphaned by the HIV-AIDS epidemic in Africa.

O’Brien says calls have come from as far away as Calgary, after cash and five iPads were stolen from the bus used by the choir during a recent performance in Nanaimo.

One of the iPads has been recovered, and O’Brien hopes tips will lead investigators to the remaining devices, but the cash has not been found and no arrests have been announced.

The choir has just begun a six month, cross-Canada tour and spends the next two weeks performing around Metro Vancouver, then visits numerous British Columbia and Alberta communities later this month and through March. (CKAY)