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 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 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 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.