Each runner received a custom Nike Dri-fit shirt designed for the event, with trophies and prizes (useful items like plates and utensils) awarded to the top three finishers in each race.  Julius, his former high school coach Chris Mugisha, and Nike  representatives Chris and Erin Cook, Tim Schneider and Mark Lane organized and conducted the event.  Julius and Chris estimated the total crowd, including spectators, at 6,000! Fortunately 1,000 kilos of beans and 1,000 kilos of rice were purchased the week prior and everyone was fed.  Julius notes that the goal of the run, the first of its kind in the 20+ years since civil war broke out in the North, is to inspire children in the area and encourage them to continue in sports, to produce the next generation of Julius Achons from this war-torn region.

After a 24-hour trip from Portland, we arrived in Kampala on September 11th and left the morning of the 12th for Nebbi in NW Uganda, close to the DRC (Congo) border. Nebbi is the location of Showers Health Center, a thriving clinic evolving into a small hospital founded by our friend, Fr. Freddy Ocun, a Catholic priest who currently lives in Portland. Much like Julius, Fr. Freddy has worked tirelessly to help the people of his region, including the founding of Showers Health Center. Julius and I spent the day of the 13th at Showers learning – touring the facility, meeting with staff and the Showers board of directors. Later in our trip, Julius and I would be meeting with the prospective Kristina Clinic board, so we took the opportunity to learn the roles/responsibilities and gain insights from the Showers board members’ experiences. We departed Nebbi the afternoon of the 13th  and crossed over the Nile River headed for Lira, spotting elephants, baboons and antelope along the way.

From Sept. 14th through the 19th we alternated days in Lira and in Julius’ village, Awake, which is 42 miles north/northeast. Recent heavy rains made the road from Lira to the village very difficult to navigate, so the normal 1½ hour trip became a 2+ hour journey each way (photo above of the road conditions). Fortunately Julius’ cousin Joseph arranged for an aged but adequate Land Cruiser, or we would never have made it to the village.

The Lifewater International well, with clinic construction on the left, nearly complete staff living quarters on the right. In the background (left to right) is Julius, his dad and a writer from Uganda Daily newspaper New Vision

Kristina Clinic construction in Awake village is progressing very well since our May clinic visit. Under the leadership of construction manager Patrick Ebyau and Julius’ brother, Jimmy Okullo, the living quarters are virtually complete, save windows, doors, painting and a 10-meter paver patio surrounding the building. By Uganda standards, the facility is attractive; by village standards it is luxurious, as 99% of the people still live in mud huts with straw roofs. We expect the living quarters will be a significant asset recruiting staff. Since the May trip, clinic construction has progressed to completion of the walls and roofing; in addition Lifewater International has installed the clinic bore-hole well and cool, clear water is flowing for future clinic patients and staff – a huge asset and accomplishment. Patrick and Jimmy expect clinic construction to be complete by the end of November – and we have adequate funds, just barely, to pay for it.

Other Kristina Clinic highlights:

• Julius and I held a meeting with then prospective– now actual– Kristina Clinic board of directors; once completed, the clinic will be owned by the Awake community and governed by the board; setting up a qualified and enthusiastic board was our number one priority for the trip.
• Julius spoke to 450 students at his former primary school in Orum, where he announced a Nov. 5th fun run sponsored by Nike at which 20 schools and 1,200 students will participate; Julius will be supported by five Nike employees.  When told each of the kids would receive a Nike shirt, the students went bananas.
• Julius was accompanied for a day by Samson Opus of New Vision, Uganda’s leading newspaper, who will write an article about Julius and his humanitarian work; Samson is a long-time friend of Julius, having written about him as an athlete
• While in Uganda we received word from Seattle Rotary and the Rotary Clubs in San Luis Obispo (District 5240) that grants totaling $13,800 were/will soon be awarded to AUCF to furnish the living quarters, and provide a low power refrigerator to store vaccines and medications

In September, the living quarters for Kristina Clinic staff nears completion.

The rest of the time in Lira was spent planning clinic furnishings, solar power, equipment, staff hiring and about 100 other various items.  In addition, Julius and I spent considerable time visiting the orphan kids and Julius’ family.

On the trip home, Julius and I reflected on the tremendous progress made during 2011 thanks in great part to you the AUCF team, our partners Nike, Lifewater International, Pollinate–who recently revamped our website pro bono–Rotary International and our many friends and donors. We are very grateful for our good friends, good fortunate and guidance.

AUCF Expands Board of Directors

AUCF has added Dr. Stephanie Van Dyke (see photo) to its Board of Directors. Dr. Van Dyke, an OHSU Family Practice Resident, has extensive medical experience in Uganda. In 2006 Dr. Van Dyke founded Engeye Clinic in Southern Uganda and remains CEO. While completing her residency, Dr. Van Dyke  continues to lead trips, have medical oversight, communicate with Ugandan staff, and ensure a thriving Engeye Clinic. Dr. Van Dyke has won numerous awards including:

Neil Hellman Prize (2009)

Awarded to a graduating student of Albany Medical College (AMC), selected by Family Medicine Dept – For demonstrating outstanding sensitivity and commitment to humanistic values in her interactions with patients

The Lindsey Baron Foundation Award (2009)

Award given to a graduating student of AMC, selected by the Dean – For the demonstration of building a professional career founded on “acts of kindness” by recognizing the importance of placing people, not disease, as the focus of her medical practices

The Martin A. Feldstein and Irma A. Feldstein Family Practice Scholarships (2009)

Award given to a graduating student of AMC, selected by Family Medicine Dept – For exemplifying the most sincere commitment to Family Practice and a strong desire to work with the underserved

Gold Humanism Honor Society Inductee (2008)

Award given to members of Albany Medical College’s graduating class, selected by fellow classmates

Point of Light Award (2007)

Honors individuals that have made a commitment to connect Americans through service to help meet critical needs in their communities, signed by G.W. Bush

Kristina Clinic Living Quarters nears completion

Construction of the Kristina Clinic living quarters, on the Awake village clinic grounds, to house the full-time staff and visiting volunteer medical personnel is well on its way to completion (see attached photos). The living quarters are essential to the success of Kristina Clinic since Awake, the clinic’s location,  is 72 km from the nearest town Lira. The living quarters will provide quality housing for the clinic manager and staff  - essential to their recruitment and retention.  A staff of 19 workers recruited from the local community and Lira town have constructed the living quarters under the supervision of construction manager Patrick Awango and Jimmy Okello, Julius brother.

On Monday July 19^th Julius and I spoke to Julie and were informed that drilling had begun, a deep water source had been located and water is flowing at the clinic site! Over the next two weeks the well will be capped, a hand pump and concrete platform  installed and the well tested and completed.

Julius’ brother Jimmy traveled the 42 miles from Lira to the clinic site in Awake Village and snapped the attached photos.

We are elated this major milestone – clinic water- has been completed and are deeply indebted to the people at Lifewater International for this extraordinary generosity. With water we can now establish Kristina Clinic!

Background Material from the AUCF website and related email:

Lifewater International to provide, through its WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) Program, safe water, adequate sanitation and education concerning effective hygiene for the local community. Lifewater International has generously agreed to drill a deep bore-hole well at the clinic site. In addition, certified field trainers from Lifewater’s local in-country partner, Divine Waters, will then implement their Community Health Through Hygiene Lessons (Handwashing at Critical Times, Safe Fecal Disposal, Keeping Water Safe) to the clinic staff, and to community members who will become trainers.

Lifewater International and their in-country partners have been facilitating access to clean, safe water and educating populations in communities around the world in a participatory, culturally-appropriate way for over 25 years. They have had tremendous success in northern Uganda bringing WASH to the youth through soccer and to large communities through health workers, teachers and church workers.

We at AUCF would like to thank Lifewater International for their generosity, and recognize and support the important work they continue to do around the world.

Hi Julius,

I’m sorry we weren’t able to connect with you a few weeks ago. Great news- we have just received funding for the deep well at your clinic! I have talked with Deleo and we are ready to drill the well very soon, if you approve. Divine Waters will aquire 3 bids from drilling contractors and chose a contractor based on cost, efficiency, and quality. The drilling company will conduct a hydrogeophysical survey to decide the best location at the clinic to drill the well. They will then install a handpump and perform a water quality test to guarantee the safety of the water. You might have already heard these details, but in case you hadn’t I wanted to make you aware of the process. Do you have any specific questions about this? I would love to talk on the phone with you anytime, when is best for you?

Thank you,

Julie

In other news

On Saturday July 30^th, 700 runners completed 1 1/2 laps (5K) around the Nike Beaverton campus in the Nike Bowerman Athletic Club (BAC) run. $5 of each runner’s entry fee was donated to Achon Uganda Children’s Fund and the Kristina Clinic project. It was a great event, featuring top local (including Julius) and national high school runner’s, a rock & roll band and a post-race party. The run was beautifully organized with ideal weather and a high energy contingent of runners. AUCF wishes to thank Nike, the Nike Bowerman Athletic Club and race organizer Chris Cook for hosting the run and the money raised for Kristina Clinic. Funds raised will go towards the purchase of medical equipment and supplies for the clinic scheduled to open in early 2012

Photos taken by Julius and Jim during January trip to Awake village.