May 9, 2016
The second week on tour for the Young Ambassadors was filled with many adventures and “life-changing” moments.One “life-changing” moment for the Young Ambassadors occurred in a village outside Harare, Zimbabwe. They sang and handed out much needed school supplies, toys, and sweets to an elementary school of 500 students with difficult circumstances. Most of the children were parentless because of AIDS and either lived with relatives or were orphans. All of the teachers were volunteers who had teaching licenses but were currently unemployed because of the current economy in Zimbabwe. Classes of nearly 60 students each were held in small tin shacks.Here are just a few of the many other adventures that occurred this week: <ul> <li>Visited the Avril Elizabeth Children’s Home for children with severe handicaps where the Young Ambassadors and local YSA members sang with the patients and then handed out socks that the local stake had donated for the project</li> <li>Toured the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria and learned that at nearly the same time as the Mormon pioneers, the South African pioneers (known as Voortrekkers) left their homes and moved across their country for religious freedom</li> <li>Experienced the Mukuviai Woodland Animal Park on a walking Safari</li> <li>Visited the Kudu Wushi Care Center for children with disabilities, where the Young Ambassadors were greeted by traditional singing and dancing. The Young Ambassadors were then able to sing and dance with the children.</li> <li>Visited Victoria Falls – one of the seven natural wonders of the world</li> </ul> The Young Ambassadors had another busy week, but cannot wait to see what new adventures are ahead.
READ MORETanner DeWaal plays with lion cubs at the Lion Park in Johannesburg.
Young Ambassadors visit Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
Young Ambassadors at the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria, South Africa
Kaushay Colvin holds a child at the Kudu Wushi Care Center for children with disabilities.
Megan Sackett hugs school children in Zimbabwe.
<p style="line-height: 18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia',serif; color: #333333;">This past week Living Legends visited Rotorua, Taupo, Palmerston North, Wellington, and Porirua, New Zealand, and also flew to Nuku'alofa, Tonga. Some of the tour highlights include:</span></p><ul> <li style="line-height: 18.0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; widows: 1; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia',serif; color: #333333;">In Wellington, Living Legends performed for high commissioners from Cuba, Chile, Samoa, and Niue, and for the United States Ambassador to New Zealand.</span></li> <li style="line-height: 18.0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; widows: 1; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia',serif; color: #333333;">On May 7<sup>th</sup><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>a special command performance was held for the Queen of Tonga, government officials, and church community leaders in Tonga. Approximately 830 attended the by-invitation only event.</span></li> <li style="line-height: 18.0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; widows: 1; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia',serif; color: #333333;">Performing arts students from the Universal College of Life exchanged dancing and singing with Living Legends for two hours on the day of the Palmerston North, New Zealand performance.</span></li> <li style="line-height: 18.0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; widows: 1; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia',serif; color: #333333;">Sights visited included the Hamilton LDS Temple, Rotorua, Lake Taupo, and the Wellington waterfront in New Zealand, and an open air market, Mapu’a ‘a Vaea blowholes, and a beach-side Mother’s Day dinner buffet in Tonga.</span></li> <li style="line-height: 18.0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; widows: 1; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia',serif; color: #333333;">An exchange with Bishop Viard College in Wellington further strengthened LDS and Catholic relationships.</span></li> </ul> <p style="line-height: 18.0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; widows: 1; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; word-spacing: 0px;"></p>
READ MORECatholic administrator, Sister Catherine Jones, enjoys speaking with Sam and Karlysue Pereya after their performance at Bishop Viard College in Porirua, New Zealand.
The beautiful Regent Theatre in Palmerston North was the location for one of Living Legends' five major performances in New Zealand.
In Wellington, Living Legends members visited the Niue High Commission for a special reception with high commissioners and ambassadors from several countries, including Chile, Cuba, and Samoa.
Upon arrival at the international airport in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, Director Janielle Christensen was interviewed by the local television station.
Sia Fafita, a Tongan member of Living Legends, concluded the special May 7 performance for the Queen of Tonga with a special Tongan dance just for Her Majesty.