Esther Nyaga sings for orphans

Guest performances at several events in tristate region

Esther Nyaga, who is now focusing her efforts to support HIV/AIDS orphans in Kenya, sang on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008, during the 10th anniversary celebration at Trinity Episcopal Church, 801 Macdade Blvd., Collingdale, PA 19023.

Esther performed during the opening performances to launch a CD by singer and songwriter Constance Chisom Orji on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008, at Eastwick At The Meadows, 6630 Lindberg Blvd. in Philadelphia.

Esther had a successful 2007, with performances at Prayers for Philadelphia and the Milele Concert. She also performed at African Gospel Artists Concert USA 2007 and Cultural Week 2007.

Since the Nov. 5, 2005, concert to launch her debut album, Did You Know?, which drew 200 people to the Full Gospel Assembly Church in Brookhaven, Pa., Esther has been invited to perform at several events in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey.

“The launch was just the beginning,” Esther said. “I have been moving nonstop and I am very glad to see that people not only appreciate the music and the message, but they still make donations to charity. This certainly is an ongoing mission and I am not about to stop.”

Esther’s earlier performances include an appearance at the annual convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Philadelphia Cathedral just hours before she launched her CD; Redeemed Church of God (Strong Tower Resource Center), N.J., for the ‘Praise Day Celebration,’ Newlife Worship Center, Del.for the sixth year anniversary celebration; Trinity Episcopal Church, Pa., for the seventh year anniversary celebration;and Christ Church Media for the annual Chilli cook-off contest.

Esther, who was featured in The Standard, a popular daily newspaper in Kenya, was joined at the launch concert by guest performers Erin and Steve Cochran, Carolyn Kamau Mayinja, Jenta Mganga and Doug Mwoi. (See photos)

The free concert was designed to benefit starving and sick children in Niger and other regions in Africa.

After years of singing in churches across the U.S., Esther saved money to produce the CD, which includes favorite hymns she first sang as a teenager on Joy Bringers, a gospel television show in Kenya. Among them is “Jehovah,” a Swahili song that laments widespread suffering around the world despite educational and technological advances, and “My Hope Is Built.”