On the 5th, 6th, and 7th of September 2019, the School of the Arts at Universiti Sains Malaysia proudly presented Jungle Book The Musical, a heartwarming musical theatre production featuring the Rohingya refugee children of Peace Learning Centre, Penang.

Jungle Book The Musical was a project with Rohingya Refugee children from Penang Peace Learning Centre. This unique adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book was more than just a performance; it was a beacon of hope and a platform for these children to express themselves through the arts.The production was aimed at providing a creative outlet for refugee children, enabling them to project their voices, experiences, hopes, and fears into the narrative of music and dance. The children not only took on the roles of actors and performers but also embraced the entire process, Empowering The Arts through their participation.

Performed entirely by the Rohingya children, alongside supporting actors and live musicians, Jungle Book The Musical told the story of one child’s quest for courage and identity amidst the perpetual adventures and adversities of the jungle—a powerful metaphor for the real-life struggles faced by the Rohingya children.

The event was a resounding success, selling out on all three days and raising approximately RM30,000 for the Peace Learning Centre. The children received rave reviews for their incredible performance, showcasing their ability to perform entirely in English after only a year of learning the language. This project was a testament to their resilience and talent, highlighting the transformative power of the arts in providing a voice and a sense of belonging to marginalized communities.