KUCHING: Festival goers at the Rainforest World Music Festival were pleasantly surprised by a performance by a lively group of youngsters calling themselves the “Make A Difference” (M.A.D.) cast.

They truly made a colourful spectacle with their version of the Fifa World Cup theme song “Waka Waka” by Shakira.

Performing on all three days, their energetic performance attracted a large number of spectators who cheered, sang and danced along.

Celcom sponsored the Fifa inspired t-shirts and merchandise to the cast members who chose their favourite teams for the world cup.

The dance performance was yet another publicity blitz for the Perhimpunan Belia organised by the Ministry of Social Development and Urbanisation slated for July 23.

Barnaby Joel Toh, a student of Limkokwing Borneo relished the opportunity to perform at the Rainforest World Music Festival site.

“Its fantastic to be here at the Rainforest World Music Festival and I had fun during the rehearsal and the actual performance with the casts members”, he said.

Uding Luhat, student of SMK St Mary also cited that this chance that she’s experiencing is one valuable experience that she will cherish for the long.

She added, “it’s a lot of hard work but we have lots of fun as well”.

For the cast members from Tunku Putra International School, performing at the festival was an amazing opportunity to get to know each other better.

“We had so much fun at the festival and to have the opportunity to perform was an added bonus,” said Abbey Jones.

Sharon Lugun, on the other hand was happy to perform for the audience. “I have been part of the Rainforest World Music Festival for many years and even performed as a member of Kan’id, a Kelabit world music group,” she said. “This year I am glad I can contribute as a cast member of M.A.D. and telling everyone about the musical.” Among those who were present to watch the performance was Limkokwing Borneo’s adjunct professor, Datin Hanifah H Taib–Alsree.

As the executive producer for the M.A.D musical, she expressed her delight in seeing the casts performing and having fun during the three days dance performance.

She also sponsored all the tickets for the Rainforest World Music Festival for the cast members who are truly appreciative of her generous gesture.

She added that the dedication that the M.A.D casts had shown through out the rehearsals and public performance was evidence that they were determined to show the world that they could set an example for the youths of today.

The M.A.D. cast will be involved in an innovative and spectacular musical, which will be the first of its kind held in Kuching.

The M.A.D. musical, co-produced by Limkokwing Borneo and Perunding Majujaya, boasts a cast comprising 25 vibrant and aspiring local and international youths from various schools in Kuching, including Limkokwing Borneo.

They were selected from a pool of 200 young people who came for auditions held at Limkokwing Borneo to star in the musical which is themed around the life of an inspiring and dedicated individual who has contributed greatly towards the social development of Sarawak.

The Perhimpunan Belia 2010, to be held from July 23 to 25 and attended by 5,000 youths, promises a line up of distinguished speakers who will be sharing their personal insights and knowledge with the youths to motivate and empower them to become leaders of tomorrow.