This week we’re kicking off our four-part model video series. First up: Recovery.
This week we’re also kicking off our four question blog series that spotlights one person who works on that specific model. First up: Malorie Tull.
Malorie is our Uganda Program Manager and helps to oversee our Recovery programs throughout northern Uganda. After working in Gulu as Invisible Children Uganda’s (ICU) Communications Officer for a year and a half, she now splits her time between Uganda and our San Diego headquarters. She is our on-site guru for all things related to our extensive Recovery initiatives, and all things related to the movie Zoolander.
What are four things that your day-to-day duties include?
1. Conference calls with the ICU team, especially Elijah Muchiri, the Head of Office in Gulu. He’s responsible for the day-to-day operations of our ICU team and programs, and I act as a support to him in our U.S. office.
2. Working with our Art and Communications teams to make sure that we’re effectively portraying all the work that’s being done in Uganda.
3. Training staff, Roadies, and interns on our programs as well as the approach and philosophy behind our Recovery programs.
4. Traveling to Uganda to work alongside our staff who are responsible for the implementation of our programs.
One of our recovery programs is Mend. What four adjectives come to mind when you think of the social enterprise?
1. FUN.
2. Energizing.
3. Empowering.
4. Healing.
You travel a lot. What are the top four things you are always sure to pack?
1. Most important – Starbucks VIA. Tea is a staple around our office in Gulu, but every now and then I just need a pick-me-up.
2. Headlamp – Electricity is never a given. Better to be safe than sorry!
3. Notes for friends – Throughout the history of IC, some really great friendships have been formed between our staff in the U.S. and our staff in Uganda. Before I head to Uganda and vice versa, I let people know in case they have a note they’d like to send with me. Snail mail can take anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months, so I’m a much more reliable post office.
4. Bug spray and malaria medication – Again, better safe than sorry!
What are four things most people don’t know about living or working in Uganda?
1. Uganda was formerly a British colony, and one of the national languages is English. When I moved to Gulu I had to pick up on the small nuances of Ugandan English. I may or may not have learned some of these differences in vocabulary the hard way. For instance, in Uganda:
“stubborn” = most typically means “funny” or “mischievous”
“pants” = “underwear”
“smart” = most often means dressed nicely, not intelligent
“well be back” = “welcome back”
“footing” = “walking”
2. Navigating the roads in Uganda can be a little tricky for a girl from the east coast, but there is one rule I quickly learned: whoever is bigger wins. Pedestrians – there’s no right of way. If you see a car, truck, or motorcycle coming – get out of the way!
3. The concept of time is much different in Uganda than in the U.S. For the most part, the culture is more relational and less time-bound. It’s not necessarily a bad thing to be a little late to a meeting or appointment (although this depends on the event and the people involved!). When someone says they’re “on their way coming,” it often means they haven’t left yet. When they say, they’re coming “now,” it can mean anywhere from 10 minutes – 1 hour. “Now now” usually means 5-10 minutes.
4. Greetings are really important in Uganda and a handshake can last anywhere from a few seconds to an entire conversation. Don’t worry, it’s normal.
Think people should hear about this?