Rugando students touching lives through music

Visa, an afro-beat song which was released a month ago, is currently gaining massive airplay across different radio and TV stations. The song was composed by two talented young boys who call themselves ‘New Voice’ and it features Gabby Umutare. The duo, comprised of Jack Kibamba and Christian Ragira, launched in December, 2013. The group is based in Kacyiru and both boys are students at Groupe Scolaire Rugando. According to Kibamba, the group was established following his hospitalisation after an accident. “Christian came to visit me at the hospital and sang a soft song which caught my attention. I was feeling low and his song somehow relieved the pain. When I got better, we decided to sing together, hence, ‘New Voice’,” he said. The boys are signed to Dream Records and have an Afro-fusion style, a blend of African and Kinyarwanda tunes, which some other Rwandan artistes are into; like King James, Jules Sentore and Gaby Umutare, among others. They have so far released two singles, Nzaza and Umubano and a video, Visa. Early last year, they launched ‘New Voice Foundation’ to help the needy. Speaking to The New Times, Ragira said the foundation’s main aim is to help people with mental and physical disorders. “We decided to come up with this foundation and gather any assistance available for underprivileged people. We have now completed one initiative which was aimed at providing scholastic materials and school fees for some vulnerable kids. During the episode, we also managed to provide uniforms, among other things, Ragira said. The boys urged the disabled youngsters to make the most of their own abilities since that would help them get to greater heights. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Rugando students touching lives through music