the new Board of Directors

I’m speechless. Well not enough to keep this story from you ☺

Yesterday was a day we’ve been unknowingly awaiting for over three years. The beginning of Dwon Madiki was a dream, a vision, and eventually one that took reality by storm.

But since then the partnership has demanded something very different in order to grow. In place of us, the “far-off American students”, administering and guiding Dwon Madiki, it is time for something new. Something organic. Something original. Something unique.

What is that something? A painful, hopeful letting go…

Those of us who have seen Dwon Madiki grow from a spark of an idea into a running, skipping child are finally being called to a bittersweet moment. And yesterday was the beginning of that moment.

The five of us gathered on the office lawn with Grace, her daughter Florence, Father Eric, a few guardians, the Local Council leader, our office landlord, an Invisible Children staff, and about fifteen nominated local professionals.

Why? To form the first interim Board of Directors for Dwon Madiki.

This decision has been a long time coming because in essence its implications are more than simply administrative. Its implications reach as far as our worldview. It caused us, the Americans, to stare challenging questions straight on.

Do we honestly believe that a group of local Ugandans is as capable to lead Dwon Madiki as a group of “highly educated Americans” would be?
Who would be able to lead the organization with flawless love of the community?
Who knows the tragedy and hope of Uganda with enough depth to envision its future?

And our questions answered themselves at the meeting yesterday as we all sat, observing, stepping back for the first time, our mouths shut (for the most part), and our minds and hearts twirling.

The meeting began with Father Eric, now the head of what we’re deeming the “Steering Committee” which consists of us (the donors), Grace Odonga, and Father Eric. The Steering Committee has been overseeing the formation of an Interim Board and will reserve the power to monitor and even dissolve the Board if necessary.

A prayer opened the meeting, as usually in Uganda. And we shared our organization’s history with the guests. Everyone introduced themselves. The need for our first, Ugandan, interim Board of Directors was explained. And from there we were to move into the very planned and precise process of silent ballots and short platforms from each of the nominees.

And here is where we began to let go of our “child” Dwon Madiki and give her back to her true parents, the community of Lacor, of Gulu District, of Northern Uganda.

As the plans disappeared and the guests took charge of the voting process, all five of us were left in awe, in silent laughter, in tears, in confusion, and in immense anticipation.

It was decided that paper not be used for the votes… “Transparency is best” one of the parents suggested with a chuckle. And before we knew it, Father Eric began to take his role as MC: “Nominations for president of the Board? Ok, someone to second that? More nominations? Ok, these are the three nominees. Now they’ll leave the room for us to discuss their competency.”

This wasn’t the plan… we already have nominees. We were going to vote on specific positions in the next meeting. Today was to simply vote on the 7 members. Why aren’t we using paper ballots? We haven’t even heard enough from the nominees, my worries began to roll in.

“Wait” one of us asked. “What is going on? How many people have been nominated? This is for the president of the Board? And the floor’s been closed?”

The Ugandans around the circle were certain, they knew their process, and they weren’t lost like we were. They reassured us that things were going smoothly, and we sighed inwardly, trusting their competency.

I felt as if I was walking an over eager golden retriever on a leash that was ready to snap. Snap, maybe because of the energy spouting from the lively souls at the meeting. Snap, maybe because freedom for the organization was begging to be granted. Snap, maybe because it wasn’t my turn any more to be telling her where to go.

Well, the leash did snap. And I’ll be forever a better person because of it. Ugandans have no fear in them. Those who are competent share their competencies without pride and without false humility. And they are quick to recognize those competencies in each other without hesitation. They admit openly when they cannot rise to the occasion or fulfill the role, backing down respectfully from the nomination. They are fervent for a balance of gender, calling for at least three women on a Board of seven people.

“One reason African is behind is the lack of women in leadership,” the newly elected secretary added in an attempt to convince our female landlord to accept the nomination. And she accepted gracefully.

Hellen Ogik, one of the women nominees, was asked to fulfill multiple roles and she consistently backed down referring to herself as simply a well-wisher. After the her third nomination as treasurer and her third attempt at declining, the newly elected president, Patrick, stood. “Hellen, I humbly ask you to reconsider. If you are truly a well-wisher, you will not be simply wishing the organization well. You will rise to use your experience in finance as a civil servant and you will be a well-wisher by doing rather than by simply wishing. As a woman with knowledge of finance, you will be wishing the organization its best by giving of your time and experience.” And Hellen rose, accepting the nomination.

When it came time to elect the last of 7 Board members, three men were nominated. One of them, Miller, is a local businessman with experience on Boards in his community. His spirit is endlessly cheerful and his humor and smile bubble over. He left the circle with the other two, and immediately Hellen spoke on behalf of him “He is a man of business, trustworthy and dependable, with a family and children of his own. When you call him, he is ever there.” Then the LC1 (local council), sat forward “Miller, ah, he is very capable, and not to mention, he is my buddy.”

The men returned to the meeting, the winner was announced by Father Eric, “Miller, you have won the vote for the last member of the Board.” With his eyes glistening, Miller shouted, “And just now, I was praying even!”

By the time all new members had been elected, lightning was fighting through me up out my eyes in hidden tears and laughter and disbelief. I couldn’t have chosen the more perfect people.

President: Patrick (A young, inspirational man who currently works at a non-profit. He is extremely scripted in Boards and how they work, and he has written a comprehensive book about Uganda and its recent struggles.)

Vice-President: Father Eric (A clergyman and teacher at Lacor Seminary, where only 10 years ago over 40 seminaries were taken by the LRA.)

Secretary: Chagga (A younger man who currently works at a CBO for youth in Lacor.)

Treasurer: Hellen (A retired civil servant who owns a business in town. Her son was abducted by the LRA from Lacor Seminary and is one of few who escaped and returned home.)

Member: Florence (Our kind-hearted landlord and nurse at Lacor Hospital. She is a woman who struggled with her husband harvesting sugar cane to become a nurse and build our beautiful office by hand.)

Member: Lucy (An older, quiet woman from the rural village and a nurse whose husband was shot by the LRA.)

Member: Miller (The jolly local businessman with years of experience on local Boards.)

Needless to say these people are ready and fully apt to carry Dwon Madiki farther than was ever expected. Their vision is for these 20 children to return from school someday, as doctors, as teachers, as businessmen, as lawyers, contributing back to their own community. Their vision is intimately intertwined with their own destinies. Their vision is one and the same with the future of their homes and the progress of their people. Their vision does not belong to “us” anymore as the Americans. Their vision is theirs. And now we are free to contribute, to give, to share in that vision as best we can, forever recognizing that Ugandans are -yes are- actually more capable of guiding Dwon Madiki than we could ever be.