Roland Ibanda

In August, 2008, D. B. Pacini verified Roland’s school, medical, and church records. He received excellent recommendations from his references. They all say he is a fine young man living in hard circumstances.

Roland Ibanda is a talented young artist and writer living in Jinja Uganda, East Africa. He was born in 1985 and has worked delivering much needed supplies to war zones in northern Uganda, and sometimes in southwestern Sudan (Darfur). His employer was shot and killed by rebels in January, 2007. Roland and a co-worker survived the brutal assault, but each suffered serious injuries. They were rescued and taken to a Red Cross camp for medical treatment. Roland returned to his home in Jinja when doctors released him. It is extremely dangerous to work in war zones, but Roland and many young men have no other opportunity to secure employment.

At the tender age of eight Roland began working numerous jobs to help support his disabled mother and siblings. His mother had sustained extensive injuries from an attack by robbers. In spite of his enormous responsibilities, Roland was a successful student. He completed secondary school and qualified for advanced level high school education in Uganda. Students in Uganda must pay for their high school education. Roland helped pay his tuition by working at the high school doing maintenance cleaning.

Roland’s dream is to someday come to America and attend college. In November, 2005 he was befriended by a woman claiming to be a missionary worker. She was impressed with his art and promised to sell 200 pieces of his art to raise funds for his college education. This woman sold a number of Roland’s paintings and then stole the money she had collected. She then stopped all communications with him.

He’s lived most of his life with his devoted single mother, brother, and two sisters. Additionally, they have adopted a young cousin whose parents died. Roland’s mother has developed intestinal cancer, and she now relies upon her children for complete care and support. Roland struggles to sustain his family. He is not currently painting because he cannot afford to purchase art materials. He will resume painting when he can afford to do so. His heart remains full of unwavering hope that he will someday be able to attend college in America.

If you are interested in purchasing his artwork please send him an email. He will tell you his prices, and you will be charged the asking price, plus taxes, shipping, and handling costs.

Note from A STARRY NIGHT PRODUCTIONS Staff:

There are no adequate words to express our admiration for this young man. We hope that you will befriend him. If you can purchase his art please do so with a generous heart. If you are an artist please help him explore free opportunities where he can display his paintings on art websites. We will continue to provide Roland free art display space on this website. Check his biography in our Starry Night Creative Artists Community listing to review his regularly updated art page. Please create a link to his biography on your websites. Most creative artists want interest and support. This young artist not only wants it, he needs it. Help him if you can. Perhaps none of us can do a great deal separately, but together our encouragement and assistance will add up.