Children at the Hiichiikok Foundation overcame illness to ensure months of rehearsals and hard work did not go to waste.
Displaying real grit and determination of hardened performers, the children from the Hiichiikok Foundation overcame tight schedules, lack of resources, manpower shortage and, on the eleventh hour, even bouts of illness to ensure the Dance With a Chance show went on without a hitch.
This was a gala fundraising musical performance was held on 30 July 2022 at the Wisma Santa Mariam, Kuala Lumpur. Staged in association with Rockstarz Performing Arts Studio, 34 under privileged children aged between six and seventeen wowed the audience with a medley of tunes from Disney’s Encanto and the musical The Greatest Showman. Under the direction of musical director, Gabriel Ambrose, the songs have been interwoven to tell a story reflective of the performers’ own experiences.
“The performance not only showcased these children’s hidden talents but taught them some very valuable lessons. Though faced with so many challenges and obstacles, the children soldiered on,” says Frieda Nhui, Guardian at Hiichiikok Foundation. “They learned that with perseverance and grit, anything can be overcome, including having an underprivileged background.” She was particularly proud of the sense of camaraderie that made those children stricken with the flu bug persevere as they did not want to let their peers down.
Under the guidance of musical director Gabriel Ambrose, the children have been diligently rehearsing thrice a week for months in preparation for the big night. Ngui was effusive in her praise and gratitude for Ambrose and all those who helped make the event happen. She says Ambrose’s efforts, in particular, gave the children self-confidence and belief that they had the talent to put on a spellbinding show.
Ngui says the long-term goal is to have regular performances such as this to allow the children to further flex their creative muse. It will also help build a self-sustaining source of revenue via show proceeds allowing for greater exposure to the performing arts for the children at Hiichiikok Foundation.
The Hiichiikok Foundation Home For Children Care was set up to provide a shelter for underprivileged kids to have a conducive environment for holistic personal growth – not just in their studies, but in every facet of their lives. It is hoped that the children will leave the Foundation much better individuals, ready to take on the world, than from when they first came to the Home.
Hiichiikok Foundation also provides scholarships to those in need. It believes that education is the best way for one to break free from the cycle of poverty. The message is that ‘no one should be denied the opportunity to study on account of financial constraints’. The proceeds from the musical performance will go towards realising this goal.
For more information on the Hiichiikok Foundation, please go to: https://hiichiikokfoundation.com/
