Sussex-bound orphan choir denied visas

3:20pm Monday 15th September 2008

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African orphans have been denied visas to perform a series of fundraising concerts across Sussex.

The Pearl of Africa Children’s Choir, made up of Ugandan orphans – many of whom have lost their parents to Aids or malaria – was due to appear in Hurstpierpoint on Friday, Brighton on Saturday and Haywards Heath on Sunday before continuing on an 11-week tour of the country.

But just days before the 20 children were set to leave, British officials in Uganda refused them visas to travel, claiming their host families had not been sufficiently checked by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).

The tour’s organisers say, however, that the CRB had approved the arrangements.

The concerts were expected to have raised around £65,000 for the Molly and Paul Childcare Foundation in Uganda which cares for about 3,000 poor and orphaned children.

Graham Pinner, treasurer of the choir, said: “At the moment it’s a complete disaster. This was a crucial fundraising tour for the orphanages which took nearly a year to arrange and now it has been snatched away.

“To say this is a matter of life and death is no exaggeration. We are still hoping for a minor miracle which might save parts of the tour.”

Mr Pinner said that not only were the choir members aged under 18 refused visas, but they also had to submit completely new applications, each costing around £75 – enough to feed, house and educate one of them for almost six months.

David Phillips, one of the organisers, said: “The visas have been refused by the British High Commission in Kampala. Although we infer that CRB checking is central to this decision, they are not totally specific in the reasons given.

“When this year’s tour was planned, we contacted the CRB in Britain and were told in writing that no CRB checks were required for host families.

“We also wrote to the visa section of the British High Commission in Kampala requesting confirmation that our arrangements were satisfactory.

“We heard nothing more until the visa applications were refused for all members of the choir under 18.”

A Home Office spokesman said: “We do not comment on individual cases. The UK Border Agency is committed to safeguarding children and promoting their welfare.

“We have to ensure that arrangements are in place to provide the appropriate care and support to children visiting the UK.”

For more information on the charity go to www.pearlofafrica.org.uk.

What do you think of the last-minute refusal? Comment below.