Music Group Shares Its Global Vision

In a performance that was one part global diplomacy and one part “It’s a Small World” come to life, a musical group of 47 young people from 47 nations this week brought their songs, dance and message of international harmony to Ritchie Valens Recreation Center.

The World Vision Youth Ambassadors, representing countries from Bosnia to Bolivia, are participating in a two-month educational program and concert tour that will take them from Southern California to Nashville, Tenn., Taiwan and Japan.

And while the harmonious singing and varied native costumes of the ambassadors brought to mind the popular Disneyland attraction, the social and political overtones of the performance emphasized the seriousness of the youths’ message.

As master of ceremonies, Yaw Perbi of Ghana explained, “We are just trying to prove to the world that people of all cultures can live together in peace.”

Now in its third season, the World Vision ambassadors program was created by the director of the international Christian relief and development organization’s Taiwan branch. Ambassadors are recruited based on their musical and English-speaking abilities.

“The music is just a tool. We strongly believe that the people we have recruited here are the future leaders of their countries,” said Willy Boake, the youth ambassadors’ project manager.

Thursday night’s concert, featuring several group numbers as well as solo dance and singing performances, was well-received by an audience of about 150 people.

“I thought it was very good, the costumes were beautiful,” said Talana Payne, who lives near the Valens center. “I only wish there would have been more young people here. I think it’s important for them to hear this message.”

For the ambassadors themselves, the experience is something they will not soon forget.

“To have 50 friends from 50 different countries is amazing,” said Tamar Baindurashvili, 20, who is from the Republic of Georgia.

“I really didn’t think we would find so much in common with each other. But we are more the same than we are different.”