The new book of Ardy Tshaima: From survival to legacy.

Exclusive Interview: Ardy Tshaima on

Survival to Legacy

Reporter: Ardy, congratulations on your new book. Let’s begin with the title. Survival to Legacy, what does it mean to you?

Ardy: Thank you. The title reflects my own journey. Many immigrants, myself included, begin in survival mode: working long hours, learning a new culture, struggling with finances, and carrying the weight of expectations. But survival cannot be the final chapter. The real goal is legacy: building something that lasts, creating stability, and leaving a foundation for the next generation. This book is about that transition.

Reporter: Who did you have in mind when writing this book?

Ardy: I wrote it for immigrants who feel invisible, for young people who think their struggles are unique, and for anyone who feels they’re constantly starting from behind. My hope is that readers see their own lives mirrored in these pages and realize they are not alone, and that the challenges they face can be transformed into stepping stones.

Reporter: Your writing mixes personal stories with practical advice. Why did you choose that approach?

Ardy: Because one without the other feels incomplete. Stories connect us emotionally, but advice gives us direction. I didn’t want to just inspire, I wanted to equip. When I share my failures, sacrifices, or moments of doubt, I immediately follow them with lessons, frameworks, or strategies. That way, a reader walks away not only encouraged but also empowered.

Reporter: In your opinion, what makes Survival to Legacy stand out from other immigrant memoirs?

Ardy: Many books stop at telling a story. Mine is also a guidebook. I dive into resilience, finances, education, identity, and community. It’s not just “this is what happened to me” but also “here is what you can do.” I wanted the book to live at the intersection of philosophy, practicality, and personal testimony.

Reporter: You also talk about resilience and growth in both technology and personal life. Can you explain that connection?

Ardy: Absolutely. Technology and personal growth share a principle: adaptation. In engineering, systems must adapt to survive stress and evolve into something better. In life, we also need to adapt financially, emotionally, spiritually. I see resilience as a technology of the human spirit. My book tries to weave that perspective so readers can innovate in their own lives.

Reporter: What do you hope readers will feel after finishing the last page?

Ardy: I hope they feel two things: clarity and courage. Clarity about where they are on their own journey still surviving, transitioning, or already building a legacy. And courage to take the next step, even when it feels impossible.

Reporter: Finally, Ardy, if your younger self could read Survival to Legacy, what do you think he would say?

Ardy: He would probably say, “So all the pain had a purpose.” And I’d answer, “Yes. It was the seed.”

Survival to Legacy is available now on Amazon: https://a.co/d/g96wDuC