ChildAidAsia concert aims to empower underprivileged youths

Don’t miss the talents of these ICAAN students who feature in ‘Diamonds in the Groove’ this weekend. (ChildAidAsia pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Several years ago, social worker Ralph Lim observed that children from underprivileged backgrounds often had difficulties presenting themselves with confidence. This often led them to missing out on valuable opportunities in life.

Concerned, Lim wondered if there was a way to help these young people through non-academic means. As he reached out to his network, he realised music would be a good way to accomplish this.

In 2012, he and some friends formed ChildAidAsia, a youth empowerment initiative, under which they run the ICAAN Rock programme aimed at providing free music education and exposure to the underprivileged aged 24 and below.

The larger goal of the programme is to help these young people build resilience and esteem. Speaking with FMT Lifestyle, Lim explained that children who are less privileged tend to feel “unwanted” or “not equal to the rest”, which leads to a lack of self-confidence.

“This often proves to be a fundamental disadvantage. As such, our objective is to equip them with self-belief and dignity instead,” Lim said.

Since its establishment, ICAAN Rock has impacted over 50 underprivileged youths, primarily from the Salvation Kids Association based in Klang, Selangor, and SMK Taman Bukit Maluri in Kuala Lumpur.

Through events such as last year’s ‘Chase the Light’ concert, young people in the ICAAN Rock programme can boost their self-confidence and resilience. (ChildAidAsia pic)

Every year, the programme organises concerts to raise funds for its activities, as well as to showcase the potential of its beneficiary youths. Its previous concert, “Chase the Light”, was performed to packed houses in 2022.

This year’s show, “Diamonds in the Groove”, features musical performances from 10 students from the ICAAN programme who have been rehearsing since June, as well as 20 other local vocalists and instrumentalists.

“Our ICAAN students are like diamonds, which can be found in the harshest environments,” concert chairman Justlin Lai explained the show’s title. “With some digging, some polishing, and some trust and faith, they will end up shining.”

Audiences can look forward to about a dozen musical numbers from the 2000s to the 2020s, including Coldplay’s “Yellow”, Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song”, and Stephen Sanchez’s “Until I Found You”. There will also be an original song, “What Are We”.

One further highlight is an uplifting musical drama segment depicting an ICAAN student’s journey. Also look out for the strings section, which will be playing a selection from the film “La La Land” plus other hits.

Lai added that ChildAidAsia plans to expand this year with ICAAN Grow, which is aimed at equipping underprivileged youths with modern farming skills relevant with today’s job demands.

He concluded by inviting the public to support ChildAidAsia’s work by purchasing tickets to the concert or by making a donation. All proceeds will be used to fund their ICAAN programmes.