"[3] A young South African orphan named Musa leaves his AIDS-ravaged village in KwaZulu-Natal, taking only a drum given to him by his late father, for the gritty streets of Johannesburg, in search of work and his uncle.

In the midst of the epidemic, a young philanthropic lawyer from a privileged family learns he has AIDS, and a truck driver's sexual proclivities endanger the health of his wife.

[5] Leonard Maltin of Entertainment Tonight called it, "a film with a big heart and a vital message.” The Hollywood Reporter said, "Audiences were enthralled by this movie."

In its on-air interview with director David Hickson and young star Junior Singo (Musa) CNN called the movie, "Profoundly moving and spiritually uplifting."

Beat the Drum Village provides family-style housing, food, clothing, education and medical care for children orphaned by and living with HIV/AIDS in Kenya.