SINGAPORE — Not your ordinary lion dancers, a lion dance troupe formed by people with intellectual disabilities is on its way to win people over with their moves this Chinese New Year.

Looking at the troupe in their full regalia, leaping and prancing about playfully in time to the clashing cymbals and thunderous drums, one would not have known that all nine members are residents of the THK Home for the Disabled @ Eunos, one of the many run by Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities (THKMC).

Called the THK BraveHearts, the troupe has been around since the 2000s to expose young residents to new skills. But last June, the THKMC’s volunteer management unit decided to develop the BraveHearts’ potential further by giving them professional training and exposure with the help of veteran dancers from Nam Sieng Dragon and Lion Dance Activity Centre.

Today, the seasoned lion dancers, aged between 17 and 37, perform at various THK internal events and external events, such as the Purple Parade.

The troupe is also available for ‘hire’ at corporate events, counting Keppel Corporation and Singapore Power among its clients this festive season.

The home’s programme executive Low Kai Ling said: “We provide them with the basic needs, but (beyond that), by letting them perform and engage in external performances, it’s a huge boost to their self-confidence levels and self-esteem… (They) feel good when people tell (them they) did a good job.”

Nam Sieng’s volunteer instructors were initially concerned whether they would be able to teach or communicate with the residents effectively. Mr Lawrence Tan, 41, said their uncertainties were quickly eased when they realised the residents were “not much different” from other lion dancers they train.

The key difference is while it would normally take most people one day to master the steps, these residents need five or six days. And they need simpler instructions. But they “try their best and have a lot of heart”, said Mr Calvin Loke, 38, in Mandarin.

Putting in at least 12 weekly training sessions, the BraveHearts eventually dazzled in a shimmering LED-light costume and clinched second prize in THK’s internal talent completion last October.

Troupe member Johnson Dass Maniam, who has intellectual disability, anger management and behavioural issues, does not mind the physically strenuous and gruelling sessions given his love for sports. Besides playing badminton, volleyball and football at the home, he even competed in the Equestrian section of the 3rd Singapore Special Olympics Games in 1993 and 5th National Special Olympics Games in 2001.

The 35-year-old, who performs as the lion head, never fails to get excited whenever he gets to perform and is always attentive and focused during training sessions, said Ms Low. She said with a laugh: “He’s always concerned about his costume, (what colour it will be) and getting to dress up.”

Having to operate the opening and shutting of the lion’s eyes poses the biggest challenge to Mr Johnson, but he finds the whole process infinitely rewarding.

“It’s fun and interesting when we learn the (lion dance) skills… It’s good to perform in front of everybody as a team,” he said, adding that he hopes to win a medal next time.

Adding that it was a good experience for him to pass on his knowledge, Mr Tan said: “(In fact), they are able to absorb faster than some of my other students, (and) it (makes us) smile when we see them enjoying the lessons so much... We want to show society that they (can succeed at this), just like the (rest of us).”

The latest Enabling Masterplan had cited that while much has been done to get people with disabilities involved in sport, culture and social activities so they can lead active lifestyles and promote inclusion in the community, only a small percentage actually do so.

Speaking to TODAY, Member of Parliament and long-time advocate for the special needs community Denise Phua said that efforts in the last decade had been mostly geared towards addressing “essential services” like schooling, transport and healthcare.

“People with special needs, like the rest of us, also deserve a quality of life that covers sports, arts and other recreational and leisure pursuits,” she said.

Those interested to hire the THK BraveHearts for events can contact volunteer [at] thkmc.org.sg. While the troupe does not charge for its performances, the home does take donations to support its programmes.

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If you know of more stories of people with disabilities, email us at today [at] mediacorp.com.sg