When he was five, Silas Bagambiki used to play with mud. He used it to make small pots, cars, houses, cups and lots of things since he didn’t have any art materials. He loved playing with mud but eventually, he started molding instead of playing with it. 

Born in Gakenke District on October 1, 1991, Bagambiki is an orphan and suffers from a cleft lip.

"My mother was among the people who were killed in 1997 in the Northern Province by the militias and, later at the end of that year, my father fell sick and died,” says Bagambiki.

But there was light at the end of the tunnel for the young boy then. Luckily for Bagambiki, Bishop John Rucyahana of Shyira Diocese had built an orphanage and a school called Sonrise Primary School in Musanze District (formerly Ruhengeri).

"I was taken in by the diocese in 2001 and I was happy to finally have a home and relatives,” narrates Bagambiki.

He proceeded to the secondary section, where he studied Mathematics, Economics, and Geography.

At Sonrise, Bagambiki’s dream came true because the school had enough art materials and the young Bagambiki could now put his painting skills to use.

He has since become a passionate artist whose painting conveys a message of peace and hope, probably inspired by his childhood misfortunes.

"When I enrolled at Sonrise Primary School, I knew I was heading to a great future. I couldn’t stop painting—I started painting objects and people,” he adds.

However, despite his love for painting, Bagambiki says he never took painting seriously, until 2013, when his friends encouraged him to do it for a living.

"Bagambiki is amazing, he is one guy who has always been happy with life and never took life’s blows at heart, few of us are like him,” says Alvin Rutayisire, Bagambiki’s friend and former classmate.

Bagambiki draws inspiration from Italian renaissance painter, Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni.

"At school, there were lots of works and books about Michelangelo. So I used the chance to read about him and decided that I wanted to be exactly like him,” says the aspiring painter.

Despite the fact that money stands as his biggest challenge and lack of market, he still sees a bright future ahead.

"I am a strong believer and Christian. I believe that the God, who gave me the talent, will see me through it all,” he adds.

Bagambiki encourages the youth to believe in themselves and go for their dreams.

"Whether you want to be a musician, writer or a painter, never fear to display your piece of work. You will get there, don’t get discouraged at any point, you will become a great person eventually.” says the artist