From Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.–Sozo Children will hold its inaugural Sozo Safari at the Birmingham Zoo tomorrow, April 20, which will feature a performance from the Sozo Children’s Choir and a walk along the African Trail.
In addition to the choir performance, Sozo Safari will have a DJ, a pizza dinner, a photo booth, games, and opportunities to feed elephants and giraffes.
“We are excited to launch a new, family-friendly event this year at the Birmingham Zoo,” said Suzanne Owens, CEO of Sozo Children.
“Sozo Safari just makes sense for our ministry, which works with children in Uganda, to share a bit about what we do in a setting that allows us to experience a bit of Africa as well.”
The Sozo Children’s Choir, which performs in churches, schools, and businesses across the country, is currently on its fifth tour of the United States.
The group’s “Revolution Tour” will conclude in May with performances in New York City.
Sozo Children is a Birmingham-based ministry serving children in Uganda who have been rescued from extreme circumstances such as abuse, abandonment, and trafficking.
The ministry provides housing, healthcare, counseling, and an education to more than 150 children in Uganda and operates an upscale thrift store, Sozo Trading Co. in Birmingham, which provides a portion of funding for the ministry and serves as a launching point for local outreach opportunities.
“Our goal as a ministry is to equip each of the children in our care to be effective disciples for Jesus,” said Owens.
“They are the next generation of leaders in their homeland, so we aren’t trying to westernize them but we equip them by walking alongside them sharing our common faith in Christ. We hope everyone who comes to Sozo Safari will visit with us and learn more about the children we serve in Africa.”
Tomorrow’s Sozo Safari will begin at 5 p.m.
Prices range from $30 for individual tickets to $170 for a family pack of six tickets.
Proceeds from Sozo Safari will benefit the ministry of Sozo Children which hopes to raise $75,000 or more from the event.