Syrian refugees learn to play the drums with Malaysian groups

Fatima (in pink) and her friends getting into the groove with Hands Percussion main man Goh’s help. Photos: Jackie Yong

It was a cold, crisp morning last month at the Newark Flowserve, a local football club located just about a 30-minute’s drive away from Nottingham in England.

A group of us were huddled in a cosy room, mostly to shield ourselves from the strong winds outside. We were awaiting our special guests. They arrive soon after, all noisy and chatty, and following a round of brief introductions, training starts.