Traveling can bring about a sense of healing and peace for some individuals. The experience of living in someone else’s shoes, for only a brief moment in time, can be nothing less than life-changing. For Erica Campbell, her trip to Ethiopia was just that. The singer recently went to Ethiopia and said that the experience was, “transformative”.

Campbell is well-known as the other half of the dynamic gospel group, Mary Mary. However, what many may not know about this 52-year-old is that she is also a vehement activist, using her platform to help bring significant and positive change to the world through God’s faith and love.

To help achieve this goal, the six-time Grammy-award winning artist has partnered with World Vision’s Chosen program. Through this partnership, Campbell was able to visit Ethiopia and be chosen by sponsor children. As a result, she was able to witness the reality that faces millions in that country on a daily basis.

“The moment I was chosen by a child—now that was humbling,” she said in recent interview. “It’s not about fixing anything—it’s about walking alongside people and letting them know they are seen and valued.”

The singer went on to detail her interactions with the children she me, stating that they were not shaped by luxury or fame, but by simply being present in survival and community.

“They’re not worried about what others think of them. Their focus is on survival and supporting each other,” she explains about her interactions, reflecting on what true empowerment looks like in the world of these children. Campbell continued, “Empowerment isn’t about luxury; it’s about perseverance and celebrating what you have.”

Campbell went on to say that as a result of her experience in Ethiopia, she will forever be changed. Additionally, she mentions that the experience also changed and transformed her children as well. She stated that they went from feeling sympathetic to simply wanting to jump in and help bring about change as well.

This truly amazingly talented and giving individual is unquestionably practicing what she preaches through song. If you are interested in finding out more about World Vision’s Chosen program, click here.

Photo: Erica Campbell Instagram; World Vision USA Instagram