Uganda: PAUL OLAJA
Paul Olaja is an 18-year-old artist and student living in Kampala, Uganda. Paul lost his father to HIV/AIDS at the age of 11 and his mother passed away from the virus when he was 17. Art is Paul's passion, and his goal is to use art to share the stories of his homeland and to help other children in need in Africa. He has shown his talent across a wide creative spectrum, ranging from painting, sculpture, dance, voice and theater to a variety of musical instruments.
After his father's death, Paul was brought to live at Tender Talents Magnet School near Kampala where he was encouraged to pursue his artistic talent. Later, he was supported by the Uganda Children's Charity Foundation (UCCF) and was selected to perform with "Children of Uganda," an award-winning dance troupe that performs internationally to raise funds and increase awareness of HIV/AIDS and its impact on children.
Although Paul has not received formal training, his colorful and lushly textured paintings evoke Uganda's rich cultural heritage and exhibit sophistication far beyond his age. Painting brings him comfort and joy, and his work reveals his love of movement, harmony, and community. In 2002 he presented paintings to U2 singer Bono and U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill during their trip to Uganda, and donated paintings for a Macy's fundraiser.
Paul aspires to attend university in Uganda or abroad and to study industrial arts and music. - Luke Filose
