"I had never sculpted before and now I discovered a new talent."

          Yosef, originally from a small village in the northern part of Ethiopia came to Yad LaKashish in December 2009 after a relative who had previously worked with us recommended it to him. Having worked as a farmer growing vegetables throughout his adult life, he had no previous experience in handicrafts. At Yad LaKashish, Yosef was given clay and started to produce the exquisite black clay sculpture that is a hallmark of Ethiopian art. After a short time, he developed creative designs, sculpting animal figurines decorated with Ethiopian motifs.

          Yosef has now learned some Hebrew and is always happy to share what he is working on with those around him. He sits by the door and is often the first person that groups meet when they come to tour Yad LaKashish. Yosef greets everyone that comes in with a smile and a firm handshake. He loves talking to groups, hearing where they are from, and telling them about what he is working on. Yosef’s wife Dinka also works at Yad LaKashish and is proud to be making money of her own for the first time in her life. "I had never sculpted before and now I discovered a new talent."