Travel isnB次元官网网址檛 always about the destination, sometimes it is about the journey, and three years ago when 21-year old University of Victoria School of Music student Laura How visited Zambia with her family it started a journey that continues today.

While traveling through Africa with her parents, twin brother and younger brother, How visited the St. Nicholas Orphanage and elementary school at the Makeni Centre in Lasaka, Zambia.

B次元官网网址淲e got to know the 30 kids,B次元官网网址� said How. B次元官网网址淭he youngest was a newborn. He was a very cute baby, but unfortunately he had HIV/AIDS so he required a lot more support and it was hard to know how he would be doing once we left.B次元官网网址�

Through a student who recently went down to the African AIDS Angels (AAA) supported centre, How and her family saw pictures of the now toddler who is doing well. B次元官网网址淗e seems to be a very happy child, which is exciting,B次元官网网址� said How.

During two weeks at the Makeni Centre, the Hows went to the local school the orphans attended and watched as they killed and cleaned chickens.

B次元官网网址淭hey really do cook and eat pretty much every part of that bird,B次元官网网址� said How. B次元官网网址淭hey canB次元官网网址檛 waste any meat because they only get the chickens once a week.B次元官网网址�

Experiencing how the orphans in Zambia lived compared to her life at home made her realize how fortunate she was, which set her in motion to become involved with AAA.

AAA is a volunteer-run charity that supplies food, shelter, medical care and education for families affected by AIDS in Malawi, Zambia and South Africa.

B次元官网网址淚t wasnB次元官网网址檛 until I got back from Africa that I became involved with African AIDS Angels and began making presentations to different schools about the projects,B次元官网网址� she said.

How B次元官网网址� who is now on the AAA board of directors and is an active member of the youth engagement committee B次元官网网址� visits local schools equipped with a PowerPoint presentation and teaches elementary students about the projects in Africa. She also leads angel making workshops.

And on Feb. 24, How will take the excitement she first had when she returned from Zambia and combine it with her other longterm passion B次元官网网址� music.

How is a fourth year student at the University of Victoria majoring in piano. She has been playing the piano for 14 years.

B次元官网网址淲hen I returned from Africa I was really excited about the possibility of supporting the orphans in Zambia, and I was looking to see whether we could make a larger, longer lasting impact,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 know that our angel sales do very well, but there is a limited market for that so we are looking at other options to support our projects.B次元官网网址�

Combining her passions, How began organizing the Music for Africa event.

Along with fellow musicians from the School of Music, in addition to Victoria Conservatory of Music students and community musicians, How will take the stage playing a classical music repertoire including Bach, Beethoven and Schubert.

B次元官网网址淥ne of the really exciting performers we have is Eehjoon Kwan,B次元官网网址� said How. B次元官网网址淪he was the 2012 young soloist at Symphony Splash.B次元官网网址�

HowB次元官网网址檚 younger brother Nathan will also been sharing the stage.

Nathan B次元官网网址� a Grade 12 student at Mount Douglas Secondary B次元官网网址� plays trombone with his school concert and jazz bands, and sings in both the schoolB次元官网网址檚 menB次元官网网址檚 and mixed voice choirs.

The performance will also feature a silent auction with items donated by the community such as tickets to Ballet VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Secret Garden and the Pacific Opera VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Tosca.

Music for Africa is on Feb. 24 at 11 a.m. at the Phillip T. Young Recital Hall at the University of Victoria.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and are available at IvyB次元官网网址檚 Bookshop, Long and McQuade or at the door.

For more information about AAA visit their website at aidsangelsvictoria.ca.