Song receives multiple international awards and recognition as African Children’s Choir version surpasses 33 million YouTube views
NEW YORK, NY (October 30, 2026) — Ken Freirich, songwriter, executive producer and philanthropist, wrote a song about peace, hope, belonging and kindness that has grown into a global movement. He decided to use the most powerful voices on earth – children from war-torn and other countries – to deliver these deep, meaningful, world-changing lyrics and music. The latest version of “I Wish” was released earlier this year and featured the African Children’s Choir. The song and video were recorded and filmed in Uganda, have attracted a lot of media attention and went viral with over 33 million views on YouTube.
The next release of “I Wish” with the Children of Ukraine (recorded in a bomb shelter) will be out in early December, followed by a chorus of Palestinian/Israeli children in 2027. Each new version transforms children affected by conflict into ambassadors for peace, hope, equality, empathy, acceptance, and kindness. 100% of song profits will be donated to deserving charities around the world.
The music group Random Acts of Kindness was created by Ken Freirich to become a catalyst for kindness, peace, and positive social change, bringing together the voices, artists, organizations, and communities best suited to carry each song’s uplifting and inspiring messages.
“‘I Wish’ is a song that can change the world. I believe that by partnering with children’s choirs from around the globe to deliver these moving and impactful lyrics about basic human needs, we can harness the innocence and the power of their voices to inspire and provide hope to a world that needs uplifting,” says Freirich. “The song is a call to action to improve humanity by unifying, encouraging acceptance, addressing basic human dignity, and spreading peace, kindness, and understanding,” says Freirich.
Support for the song has come from prominent international voices. Vanessa Frazier, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, said: “The children who lend their voices to ‘I Wish’ remind us that in the darkest circumstances, hope can rise. This song is a powerful call for peace, kindness, and protection for every child including those living through conflict.”
Forest Whitaker, artist, CEO and founder of the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative, UNESCO Special Envoy for Peace and Reconciliation, has also praised the song: “I believe that ‘I Wish’ is a powerful song that speaks to the potential of music to inspire social change. At the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative, young people are at the center of our mission, and we believe in the power of their voices to shape a better future. We’re grateful to have had Random Acts of Kindness featuring the Path Fund’s Rockers on the Rise and Broadway Bound Kids perform ‘I Wish’ at our gala this year, bringing that spirit of hope to our celebration!”
That message is already generating recognition around the world. Freirich and “I Wish” recently received The Spirit of Hope and Excellence in Philanthropy Award from Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend’s charity, Teen Cancer America. This award recognizes “I Wish” for providing a spirit of hope to the world, while also honoring Ken for his philanthropic leadership, outstanding service, and impact on young people with cancer through music.
Freirich and “I Wish” also recently received the “I Wish” Peace and Social Change Award from the Mayor of Anyama, Côte d’Ivoire, Africa, honoring the song’s ability to inspire peace and social change. At an August 26th event at Lycée Moderne d’Anyama, with “I Wish” playing in the background, children representing seven schools spoke about what the lyrics mean to them and shared their wishes for the world.
“I Wish” has also been submitted for consideration for the Recording Academy’s Harry Belafonte Best Song for Social Change Award.
Today at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, one of horse racing’s premier events, at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, KY, part of the “I Wish” video featuring the African Children’s Choir will be included in a presentation for Breeders’ Cup Charities.
With all of the awards, recognition and media coverage, the song continues to gain momentum around the world. Freirich wrote these simple but powerful lyrics to foster social change as a series of wishes for a better world. The lyrics in the song progress from “A day where we all belong / A day where we just get along” to a world where everyone has a place called home, where we can live without fear and pain and live free in our own way. The lyrics speak to peace, security, civil rights, inequality, homelessness, communities in need, acceptance, empathy, belonging, compassion and global unity.
ABOUT RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS
Random Acts of Kindness is a music collective founded by songwriter, entrepreneur and philanthropist Ken Freirich around the belief that music can be a catalyst for kindness, peace and positive social change. Rather than operating as a traditional band, Random Acts of Kindness brings together different artists, musicians, producers, charitable organizations and communities depending on the message and purpose of each song. Its releases include “Healthcare Workers Rock!,” Billboard and Mediabase AC Top 20 hit “Free to Roam,” and “I Wish,” whose African Children’s Choir version has surpassed 33 million views on YouTube.
ABOUT BETTER WORLD RECORDS
Better World Records was founded by entrepreneur, philanthropist, songwriter and drummer Ken Freirich with the mission of releasing original music across different genres that will bring people together and have a positive impact on the world. The company has strong philanthropic beliefs and is committed to being a catalyst for using music to create change and to help fund charitable projects across the globe.
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