The musician putting Hong Kong’s ethnic minority children in tune with their dreams
Manik Lal Shah says the ability to play an instrument can transform young lives; so now he dreams of opening a low-cost music school
When Manik Lal Shah moved to Hong Kong seven years ago he was shocked to discover dejected ethnic minority children struggling with social, economic and family pressures.
“Parents work 12 hours [a day] here. Parents and children have no conversations; they don’t discuss the future or anything ... this is a big problem in Hong Kong,” he said.
“And rent is a big problem too, no one can afford it. So it got me thinking: I feel very sad. I want to do something.”
Ethnic minority children stereotyped and belittled in Hong Kong schools, say parents
A professional musician himself, Shah, 48, with help from his wife, Joanne Chan Ka-yee, and a local NGO she works for, established a music programme for ethnic minority children one year later.
He also taught music in his native India, with some of his former students becoming well-known artists, such as percussionist Darpan Dua.
Sadib Paudel, 19, started learning music with Shah when the programme started in 2011. Since then he has learned to play the guitar, formed his own band and is working to make music his career.
Shah’s wife, a ministry officer at Mission to New Arrivals, which helps newly-arrived immigrants, low-income families and ethnic minorities – said the programme gave parents peace of mind.