Doing it for the kids: Queen Ally donates profits to orphans

FATUMA KEMIGISHA meets the singer combining music and business Asked what she has achieved as an artist, Lucie Aline Kabatesi, alias Queen Ally looks up before she replies: “I generate money to assist orphans. I think this is productive.” “I look after ten children who are orphans in Kimihurura. I am trying to help and see if they can too live a decent life,” she adds. “I pay their school fees out of the money I get from my albums.” Queen Ally was born in Nyamata in 1983 to Moses Rwasa and Marie Mukandamaje Kabatesi. She was born in the family of five, two boys and three girls. She went to ST. Famile in Kigali for her primary school and had her secondary at St. Alloys in Rwamagana. She later joined Université Laïque Adventiste de Kigali (Unilak) where she is currently to pursuing business Management. Even before she completes studies, she entered the real world of business. She owns a stationary shop, Queen’s Papeterie and Decoration Services, in Kicukiro near Sona Tubes. “Music has helped me live my dream. This is what I wanted to be when I was growing up,” says Lucie Aline Kabatesi, alias Queen Ally. She is a Rwandan artist and she thinks her rising to stardom is due to passion for music and hard work. “When you have something you love dearly in your life and you are determined to go for it, chances are that you will succeed,” says Queen Ally in thin veiled happiness. “What do you want t be in future?” I ask. “I would love to be a prominent singer like Celine Dion,” she replies. But she says in Rwanda the music industry is not fully exploited. “I used to mime at school and sing in the church choir and I have so far acquired two awards in 2006 and 2007.” But singing is not Kabatesi’s calling. She loves business and being independent. “When you have business, you help many and your family.” “I acquired business skills after working with people in the music industry.” She recalls her lively home. She says her father and mother were hardworking and loving parents. “I think they instilled in me the culture of working hard.” Ends