Help Sharif

10% of web sales will help Ugandan trainee potter Sharif Isabirye:

Born into a large peasant family in the rural village of Bujagali, Sharif Isabirye will be 27 years old in September this year. He is the eldest son and third born, living with his father and six of his 9 siblings.

Sharif's parents divorced some years ago and his father remarried, however Sharif's step-mother lives far from the family home. Being the eldest son, Sharif has the responsibility to care for his brothers and sisters on a daily basis, cooking meals, helping in the family garden and many other chores.

Educated up to Senior 4 (O level standard) at East Senior Secondary School in Buyala, some 5 kilometres daily walk from his home; Sharif's favourite subject was, not surprisingly, Fine Art. He was successful in joining a Soft Power Education Apprenticeship Pottery scheme some 5 years ago, but left halfway through, as his uncle had promised to pay for his school fees to complete his education up to Senior 6 (A level). It is only Primary Education that is free to all and secondary school fees are quite high. Unfortunately, having dropped out of the apprentice scheme, his uncle then didn't pay his fees, so sadly he was left with no education and no training either. This was a shame as he was just beginning to learn how to throw pots on the wheel.

In March 2009 he came back to Soft Power Education to take part in another apprenticeship scheme, this time learning a variety of Arts and Crafts.

Sharif will also attend the next stage of the Apprentice Project, which will be for a further six weeks later in 2009 when he will expand on his pottery skills, this will be alongside other young disadvantaged people from the nearby community.

In his small amount of free time, Sharif enjoys listening to reggae music. He also very much enjoys watching sport, in particular professional football with his favourite team being Barcelona. Sharif also likes watching baseball and cricket.

Sharif has been inspired by all the crafts learnt during his recent six weeks and his ambition is to achieve the best he can in art and to become famous and known globally for the art he creates.