Meet Marjolaine Furaha, age 17, a Congolese refugee who lives in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda. She is an artist teacher and facilitator at Nakivale Young Talent Community, an artist collective and arts education center in Uganda.
The last few days I have been on a small holiday with family which has made working on new articles to post challenging. So, again I turn to my favorite artist group, the Nakivale Young Talent Community. I have several interview posts in the works and am looking forward to sharing them with you soon!
Marjolaine participated in the June 1st Nakivale Young Art Exhibit, showing two of her pieces: “Self-Confidence” and “Cheetah”. Both art works as well as the new pieces shown in the video above - “Feeling” and “Adaptation” - are on RedBubble for purchase.
Hyperlinks to the titles below redirect to the artpiece page on RedBubble that I set up directly for the artists. Or you can leave a tip for the Nakivale Artists here at a TipTop Jar I have set up for them.
Self-Confidence
As you see here, there is a woman and there is something behind her: problems, challenges… We are the ones who can bring problems in our life. And, we are the ones who can solve them.
Cheetah
Feeling
Adaptation
Join the Nakivale Artist Support Circle at The Creative Convergence
Marjolaine, like Lionel Jospin yesterday, Benjamin Daviruka and Krehim Sharon in previous posts, is now one of several young refugee artists living at the Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda that I have drawn and written about on RainMakers & ChangeMakers. There are many more artists who are creating incredible art and hope to sell their originals to the outside world. While we work on logistics to facilitate the sale and shipment of originals, I am supporting their materials and supplies needs by turning on paid subscriptions at The Creative Convergence, my other Substack.
On The Creative Convergence, I’ve added a special section dedicated to the Nakivale Artists for those who want to follow the trajectory of these incredible artists. 100% of net paid subscriptions on The Creative Convergence Substack will cover materials and supplies costs to keep artists like Marjolaine creating. Read more here.
Marjolaine’s Backstory
In DR Congo, a spark of creativity was born in 2007—Marjolaine Furaha, a girl with dreams as vast as the sky. Amidst the warmth of a family of eight, her light began to shine. With each step into her education, her passion for art ignited, a flame that not even her brother's discouraging words could extinguish.
Marjolaine knew her worth and her talent, and she held onto her dreams with fierce determination. Tragedy struck, and her world was turned upside down, but Marjolaine's spirit remained unbroken.
She and her family sought refuge, a quest for peace that led them to Nakivale, where hope was rekindled. Here, Marjolaine found a sanctuary for her creativity at the Nakivale Young Talent Community, a place that nurtured her gift.
Now, as 2024 unfolds, Marjolaine stands on the brink of a new horizon. Marjolaine is not just an artist; she is a beacon of resilience and hope, ready to share her story and touch the hearts of many. - Written by Akon Deograce, Nakivale Young Talent Community Founder & Director
Marjolaine Furaha, Nakivale Refugee Artist