Hear beautiful music for a worthy cause at the Chilliwack Vineyard on Friday, June 10.
Graham and Aaron Ord, a father and son celtic harp and guitar duo, will be performing eclectic originals, instrumentals and spoken word to raise money for service work in Kenya.
Aaron Ord studies music at the Kelowna Community Music School, and often performs with groups like the Kelowna Opera and Kelowna Harp Orchestra.
Graham Ord is a multi-instrumentalist from the U.K. He's toured extensively across five continents, performing as a soloist or in various ensembles including bluegrass band The Trips.
The upcoming service trip in September is hosted by Hope for the Nations, a Canadian NGO that works to help children at risk in 25 countries. They're currently partnering with a slum community called Soweto, located in Nairobi, Kenya.
The situation in Soweto is desperate.
"Without running water, sanitary systems, an education or basic community services, life is extremely difficult," Hope for the Nations ambassador Nadine Willis explained.
Severe poverty means that food, shelter, medical care and education are not easily accessible. Children, particularly females, often become exploited and abused.
Hope for the Nations is working to protect these young girls by creating an affordable housing solution and providing care for the children. A complex is being built out of modified shipping containers, able to house 18 residents, as well as classrooms and staff units.
A group from Chilliwack, many members of which are from the Vineyard Church, is heading down to the area to lend a hand. They will be supporting the residency and education project, as well as assisting the girls by providing addictions counselling, art therapy, and developing business ideas to help them transition from the streets to a self-sustaining lifestyle.
In an area without medical services readily available, a doula on the team will also be teaching the young women about safe labour and delivery.
Learn more about the project in Kenya by visiting hopeforthenations.com.
Graham and Aaron Ord perform the fundraising show June 10 at 7 p.m. at the Chilliwack Vineyard (45892 Wellington Ave.) Tickets for the show are $10, available at the door, or pre-order through Acoustic Emporium Facebook page. All pre-orders are eligible to win a $100 gift basket.