A group of Ugandan children are on the verge of fame after reaching the final of hit UK show Britain’s Got Talent, where they won over the judges and audience with their dazzling dance moves and bubbly personalities.
They have already made history after becoming the first act to receive a “golden buzzer” from one of the judges before they even finished their performance. This sent them straight to Wednesday’s semi-final, where they received the most votes from the public, meaning they are now among the 10 acts taking part in Sunday’s final.
The group of six children aged between five and 13 all come from disadvantaged backgrounds in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, where they were welcomed and cared for by their guardian-turned-manager Dauda Kavuma.
He told the BBC he hopes their success can encourage other children living in similar circumstances.
“We are so happy to continue to do this and to bring hope to all children around the world who are in the ghetto, who are underprivileged, who are less privileged – that they can succeed in life.”
While capturing a new following in the UK, the Ghetto Kids are already causing an internet sensation and performed at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
But one of the group, Priscilla Zawedde, 13, told the BBC that winning the TV show – and the £250,000 ($313,000) prize – would mean “a bigger house for everyone “.
About 30 children currently share a five-bedroom house in Kampala, where they are cared for by Kavuma.
He set up the Inspire Ghetto Kids Foundation in 2007 to care for street children in the Kampala neighborhood of Makindye and told AFP news agency that having a bigger house would be a “dream” because the children would have more space.
They currently rely on donations from supporters, income from their social media posts as well as fees for live performances.
Kavuma also started his life on the streets before a man gave him a chance seeing him playing football and asked him if he wanted to go to school.
“He let me join his team and helped me pay my school fees. He was someone who helped me without knowing me. So from that day on, I promised myself that when I would be great, I hope to help a child one day.” Kavuma told the BBC.
But then he moved on to music, which he now uses to transform the lives of others.
“Most people thought that street children… had no value in society, but I thought the opposite,” he told AFP.
“I said to myself: ‘What if I used music, dance and theater to transform the underprivileged in the ghettos?'”, he says.
Akram Muyana, 13, told the BBC dancing had always been his way of escaping reality after his father died.
“Every time I dance I feel so happy and my stress goes away. I started going to dances in churches to get money to give to my mom to buy me clothes and food.”
They are the second generation of Kavuma’s Ghetto Kids to achieve global stardom – the first generation was spotted dancing to Ugandan singer Eddy Kenzo’s ‘Sitya Loss’ and later racked up millions of views on YouTube .