Sharon Kali

Sharon Kali is the team leader, although she does not like being in charge. She makes new paints, assesses new pigments, and guides the team as they grind the pigments and mull the paints. She is always looking for new ideas, and she loves to learn. She first used artist’s paint in June, 2023. Now she makes paint and is learning to paint pictures. She lives in Lira with her daughter, Heavenly Queen, and her family.

Sharon has worked as a community peer educator, an administrative assistant, a support worker for youth with HIV, and a farm manager. She makes and sells peanut butter as well.

Halmon Ebong

Halmon has many skills, but his primary job is to source materials and people. He looks for new colors and arranges delivery from the villages. He finds the woodworkers for the palettes. He is currently investigating inks and dyes from plants. Halmon is married, and they recently had a new baby.

Jacky Acen

Jacky Acen is from the northern part of Uganda, in Agali, located in the Lira district. She is in her twenties. She comes from a family of seven—three girls and four boys—and is the third born. Jacky is married and lives with her daughter. She holds a certificate in accounting, but her true passion has always been working with communities to achieve common goals. Jacky enjoys making paints and has a love for music. Like many, she dislikes poverty, loneliness, and seeing others suffer. Working with the Paintmakers has taught her new skills she never thought she would have, like working in a team to make pigments and paints.

Dan Okello

Dan is the older brother of the team. He began by helping with inventory, grinding, and driving (he is a driver by profession), but he quickly demonstrated that he can process pigments and make paints. He is also the team photographer and videographer, and he is now responsible for showing the work of the Paintmakers to the world. Dan is married with two children.