The Stories of Alice Iradukunda and Flambeau Iriho
At ASYV, young people learn that there’s much more to their stories than the challenges that defined their earliest chapters. Through educational and extracurricular activities, students uncover unique passions, interests, and skills that open up new pathways in life.
For Alice, Flambeau, and many others, a new chapter of learning begins at ASYV, full of self-discovery and new possibilities for the future. Read more about Alice and Flambeau in the interviews below.
The Story of Alice Iradukunda
Alice Iradukunda (Class of 2019) first became interested in technology during her first year in the Village. She excelled in science classes and one of her teacher suggested she consider helping the ASYV IT Team. She began helping with lab maintenance and soon became a go-to student for Village IT needs of all kinds.
From learning about a new field, Alice also discovered her ability to solve problems, to support others, and her passion for empowering women to pursue their dreams.
What experiences did you have with working in IT before coming to the Village, if any?
I didn't have any experience working with IT before coming to ASYV. Before coming to the Village I had a basic education. When I came to the Village, I chose to study MCE (Math, Computers, Economics).
What types of projects do you support in IT?
There is a lot of computer maintenance with all the labs here at school. I test power supplies and computer mice to ensure they are working. I replaced defective power supplies in some desktop computers. We take good pieces out of the bad ones to create good ones - like making Frankenstein computers. I also helped install Windows 10 and then did customization to complete the setup.
What I love the most is working with hardware.
Why not take programming - why hardware?
I see that many people are taking programming and that very few people, especially women, work in hardware, so I feel I can contribute a lot more.
What do you like most about working in IT?
I love sharing what I know, supporting people, and giving advice.
IT has taught me skills I can use to get a job. It has taught me skills to help develop my country. I will use my knowledge by supporting people who want to learn how to use technology. I enjoy it when I get to support other students when they have problems with their computers. I want to be an inspiration to others who are interested in working in IT, and most especially to women.
Do you have a message to share with everyone?
Yes! If there are any other women who have any interest in technology, please meet me and let's talk. We will work together to increase our confidence and support each other to be persistent in reaching our goals.
The Story of Flambeau Iriho
Flambeau Iriho (Class of 2020) had never touched a keyboard before he took part in a Media Bootcamp at ASYV. Since then, he has won several music awards in the village, including the Best Music Producer award this year.
In finding his passion for music, Flambeau also discovered his capability to excel through challenges, the excitement that comes from learning, and the kind of satisfaction that can only be achieved through hard work.
What made you want to pursue music production?
I thought it was cool and it allows you to create something from nothing. I am also interested in playing instruments. When I got here, I started playing the piano and guitar. I was not good, but I got some knowledge in it. When I was learning the piano, I noticed the production teacher and other students producing music and then I was also interested. I joined the Media Bootcamp and then continued learning from there.
Do you want to pursue music production after ASYV?
I don’t know if I will do music production as my first career, but maybe my second career. Because I am doing MPC (Math, Physics, Chemistry) and I want to study computers in college. But alongside that career I want to continue with music production.
What inspires you to make a good song?
Other producers and artists inspire me. When I hear a good song, I also want to make a good song like that. Also, when singers come to me and ask me to help them make a beat, I like that because I like helping my friends.
How long does it take to make a song from start to finish?
About one hour.
What do you like most about music production?
Music production allows me to make friends with other students and singers. When a singer comes and tells you ‘I need a beat of this kind,’ sometimes you don’t think you can do it, but then you try and you can. I like that I can make music from scratch, from nothing. It’s cool to make something from nothing like that.
Also, when people see my name in movies or hear it in the songs, it is fun for me. I also am able to learn from songs I hear on the radio and learn from the styles the artists use.
I also love to hear the small sounds in my songs that nobody else hears. When I make sounds and beats and put them in the songs, sometimes nobody else will notice them, but I do. I like being able to hear these small things that only I can hear.
What have you learned about yourself from music production?
I learned that I can accomplish things when I put my mind to them. Before I started music production, I was learning photography and videography. For me, these were easy but music was hard. That’s why I chose music. Music is something where you learn new things every day. You’re always learning. And I learned about myself that I like to be challenged and activities where everyday I learn, learn, learn. I did not think I would ever be on the level that I am at right now. When I started, I didn’t think I would ever be as good as my production teacher, but now I am and can make music and beats of many different kinds.
I also learned that sometimes I like to hang out with myself. Myself only. I sometimes go in the studio alone and work on beats early in the morning. I never would have thought that I would wake up as early as I do when I am going to make music, but I go really early so that I can do that by myself. Music makes me want to wake up early because I am passionate about it. I learned that when you are passionate about something, it is easy to wake up early and work hard.
Flambeau produced this beat for "Coco" by Boy Breezy. Listen here!