FINAL WISH COMING TRUE

Musician’s family moving to Canada,

They called TTC musician Achilla Orru the soul of Bloor and Yonge, but when he died unexpectedly in February, his soul was preoccupied with one important matter: bringing his family to Canada.

Orru, 53, a celebrated musician who played his lokembe, an African instrument, in international concert halls as well as on the subway platform, was in the midst of arranging for his wife and three sons to immigrate to Canada when he was found dead in his apartment from complications of heart disease.

Nadine Lumley, a longtime friend and artistic director of the Batuki Music Society, said Orru had the sponsorship papers and was trying to save enough money to cover airfare and DNA tests.

“When you’re a musician, and you’re blind, whatever resources you get are not that large,” she said.

“He was proud. Achilla didn’t share it with a lot of people, but he was struggling.”

Now his friends are taking up the cause with a fundraiser concert Sunday night at Lula Lounge, featuring a lineup that includes Orru’s band Baana Afrique, African Guitar Summit, and his “Subway Friends.”

Orru, a world-renowned lokembe player who was blind since childhood, met his wife, Rose, on one of his many trips to Uganda, the country where he was born and learned to play the thumb piano. They married in 2004.

Since his death, Orru’s friend, lawyer Davies Bagambiire, has been continuing to work on the family’s application. On Tuesday, Rose landed in Toronto and was granted permanent resident status.

The couple’s three boys, all younger than 7, are still in Uganda, under the temporary care of Rose’s brother. One child has a Canadian citizenship certificate, but the other two don’t yet have the proper documentation. (Orru has another son from a previous relationship who was born and lives in Canada.)

“Once Rose gets her status, it becomes easier for the others to come,” Bagambiire said.

He said Rose — an elementary school teacher in Uganda — will soon have her permanent resident card, and can then return to Uganda to care for the boys until they are able to come

“When you’re a musician, and you’re blind, whatever resources you get are not that large. He was proud. Achilla didn’t share it with a lot of people, but he was struggling.” NADINE LUMLEY LONGTIME FRIEND OF ACHILLA ORRU, SEEN ABOVE WITH HIS FAMILY IN UGANDA

to Canada together.

Five people were ready to become sponsors for the family, but immigration officials did not make Orru’s death an obstacle.

Since his death, people from the Ugandan community and Toronto’s music scene, as well as complete strangers, have helped with a trust fund to pay for Orru’s funeral and assist his children.

A funeral service open to the public will be held at Wexford Heights United Church at 10 a.m. on Saturday.