Reverend Paul Skemp, who is organizing the fundraiser, said that the church’s Outreach Committee has been involved with a number of local projects such as Neighbour to Neighbour and Wesley Urban Ministries. More than two years ago, they decided to concentrate on a more global project with the ERRA-BC.

“The situation for many people in that area is very difficult,” said Rev. Skemp, “with increasing drought, crops are shrinking and desertification is increasing. Clean water is always an issue with families often having to walk many miles for their water supply. With rising grain prices worldwide, food is more difficult to purchase. For most of the world, Eritrea is an unknown place. It never makes the news. This was one reason why we decided to support this project, as a way of educating our own people about this part of the world.”

The ERRA is a small non-profit society incorporated in British Columbia and registered with the Canadian Revenue Agency as a charitable organization. Over the past 15 years, it has contributed more than $900,000 to projects in Eritrea.

The Mount Hamilton United Church became aware of the ERRA-BC through Reverends Colin and Pat MacDonald. Both have traveled to Eritrea on behalf of ERRA-BC and Rev. MacDonald serves on its Board of Directors.

Mr. Klassen, who will be giving the concert, said he sympathizes with the hardships of living in a poor and isolated area. Born and raised in Paraguay, South America, he now resides with his family in Canada.

“I grew up in a third world country. I never thought I would see electricity, never mind drive down a paved road.”

Mr. Klassen said his concerts are typically a combination of song and story-telling.

“I play a song. I tell a story. How I grew up in a jungle, how mission work changed my life, how I made it to the city and came to Canada. I love it because most of the people in this country have no clue where they are living. They live like this all their lives, and they may have heard about poor people somewhere, but I like to encourage them to be thankful for what they have because we live in the best country in the world. Canada is an amazing place.”

Rev. Skemp said all the proceeds raised will go to mission outreach program ERRA-BC and the fund for the Children of Eritrea.

“The second goal is to raise awareness about the people of Eritrea and some of the hardships and struggles that are part of their daily lives, but which we can hardly imagine.”

The concert will be held at Mount Hamilton United Church at 7 p. m. The event is free, but there is a suggested donation of $10. Following the concert, Mr. Klassen’s Christian CDs and book A Soulful Journey will be available for purchase. Mr. Klassen’s tours have taken him to more than 20 countries where he has performed over 3,000 concerts.