Run, barbecue, and film celebrate the odyssey of Julius Achon
–Julius Achon, the Founder of the Achon Uganda Children’s Fund (AUCF), member of the Ugandan National Parliament and subject of the biography The Boy Who Runs: The Odyssey of Julius Achon, will be visiting the Central Coast Oct. 18 through 20, to share his story and the story of the creation of his foundation and the work they are doing in Northern Uganda, including the development and operation of the Kristina Health Center.
The Achon Uganda Children’s Fund is a 501c3 entity established in 2009 for the purpose of providing health, education and athletic opportunities in a post-war region of Northern Uganda. This is a rare opportunity to meet Julius, to hear his story and the story of war-torn Uganda, to hear about his work and his vision, and on Saturday to actually share a run with this two-time Olympian. (Sponsorships and VIP reception opportunities are available.)
On Thursday, the Fremont Theater will show short films about Julius and the work he is doing in Uganda, there will be African drummers and African dance, and a panel discussion with Julius and John Brant, author of The Boy Who Runs: The Odyssey of Julius Achon. The Rancho El Chorro event on Saturday will include a run with Julius and also a barbeque sponsored by the Rotary Club of Nipomo.
Young people are especially encouraged to attend one or more of these events to hear Julius’ story of tragedy, redemption, determination and hope. The experience will open eyes and hearts to the developing world, to the people of Africa, and will help them understand the importance of giving back and how that makes their lives fulfilling.
Achon grew up in a small village, Awake, 40 miles northeast of Lira in northern Uganda. At age 12, he was kidnapped by the Lord’s Resistance Army, a militant coalition that rebelled against the Uganda government, and was forced to become a child soldier. Three months later, Achon escaped and returned to his village.
Shortly thereafter, Achon returned to school and began running. His talents landed him a scholarship in 1990 to attend school at Makerere High School in the capital city of Kampala. At age 17, having attracted the attention of several Ugandan sports officials, he was entered in the 1994 World Junior Championships in Portugal, and ran the 1,500. He won the race, wearing shoes for the first time in competition and bringing Uganda its first World Junior gold medal. His performance caught the eye of John Cook, an American track coach who brought him to George Mason University in Virginia on a scholarship.
Achon went on to compete for Uganda in the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games, both times serving as captain of the Ugandan Olympic team. While training near his village in 2003, he encountered a group of orphans and couldn’t help but take them back to his village where he took on the responsibility of their welfare and education. That was the beginning of the Achon Uganda Children’s Fund.
Today Achon lives in Uganda’s capital of Kampala with his wife, Grace, and their three children and travels frequently to Lira, home of now dozens of children housed and supported by the Achon Uganda Children’s Fund (AUCF). He also travels often to his home village of Awake, where AUCF supports the Kristina Health Center, a rural clinic that serves hundreds of sick or injured patients every month. His latest project at the center is providing full maternity care.
For information about the events coming to the Central Coast, Julius Achon, the Achon Uganda Children’s Fund and the Kristina Clinic, please log onto: www.runwithjulius.org and www.achonugandachildren.org.
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