Growing up, not old, with MINDS Perform
#60Stories
You might have seen them beating at their drums in rhythmic unison at the National Day Parade, or witnessed their spirited performances on the international stage in Japan, Thailand and Korea.
These are not your ordinary performers.
For the last 20 years, three friends – Mohammad Rozlan Bin Sohani, 43, Yao Hua, 40, and Mohammed Erwan Bin Aman, 35 – have been performing and growing together as trainees in the MINDS Perform Taiko Drum Troupe.
Since its inception in 1999, the MINDS Taiko drummers have performed for a wide range of events, including the National Day Parade in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2021, and have been a mainstay in The Purple Parade since 2015. They have also performed for events like the Youth Olympics and Chingay, as well as corporate events. The troupe has also flown Singapore’s flag high on the international stage at events like the Drum Youth Exchange Programme in Tokyo and music festivals in South Korea and Thailand.
For the three friends, being part of the troupe has brought out the best in them. Training Officer Ramlan Rasidi, who has overseen the MINDS Perform troupe since its inception, notes how they have grown into confident and empowered individuals together.
He cites how Rozlan used to act like a “small boy”, and would sulk or cry if someone bothered him. He could also be quite stubborn and refuse to complete certain tasks that he disliked. Over time with his friends and training officers, Rozlan has matured, taking ownership of his tasks and completing them on his own. He has also become a helpful friend to his peers, readily volunteering his help when he notices that they may not understand the instructions given to them.
Years with a constant group of friends has also brought Erwan out of his shell. From an extremely shy individual who preferred standing behind others or remain sitting in a corner, Erwan doesn’t shy away from the spotlight today and actively mingles with his group.
“(The trainees have developed) a sense of camaraderie, friendship and understand each other’s behaviours, habits and feelings well,” says Ramlan.
Growing together
Beyond being a Training Officer, Ramlan treasures being a friend, confidante and source of support for his trainees as they experience the highs and lows of their lives. In a way, they’ve become family to each other. “The friends visited (another trainee) in the hospital and went for house visits during Hari Raya after performances,” said Ramlan.
Ramlan hopes that the MINDS Perform initiative will continue for another decade, especially as clients continue picking up key skills and establishing strong bonds with each other. “These clients have the skills and talent, and they will happily perform for the public, their families, peers and for themselves,” he said.
As long as they are performing together and working together in the same unit, they will be best friends forever[.]
When they are not preparing for performances with MINDS Perform, the trio are engaged in MINDS Craft, where they create artworks and craft items for sale. As part of the MINDS Craft team, they have been commissioned to create artworks for ministerial gifts and for special events by clients like DELL Singapore, Sofitel Hotel Singapore and other corporations.
The constant engagement, especially with peers, keeps them active and engaged even as they age. “As long as they are performing together and working together in the same unit, they will be best friends forever,” says Ramlan.
Persons with Intellectual Disability (PWIDs) value their friendships like all of us, and having strong relationships with people outside their immediate families drastically improves their quality of life.
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