From Left to right: Marko Akol, Secretary General of South Sudan Athletic Federation, Helen a Community Worker For “Neighborhood”, Lilian Doki one of the beneficiaries of “Neighborhood” initiative, Esther Menya “Neighborhood” coordinator, and Pastor Richard Menya of Watoto Church – Juba pose for group photo during the launching of Watoto Juba City Marathon. Photo Credit: Emmanuel Kayanga

By: Emmanuel Kayanga | Juba | 30th – Sept – 2026

Watoto Church in Juba has launched the “Juba City Marathon” in a bid to raise about 41,000 US dollars to empower 250 vulnerable women through practical skills and provide capital.

Pastor Richard Menya of Watoto Church, Juba, says the one-day marathon is aiming to support women through the church’s program named “Neighborhood” that provides skills, business startup capital and literacy program.

“Last year, we were thinking of ways to be able to raise resources to support the program (Neighborhood). Currently, all of the funds that we use to support the program are really funds that come from friends and partners outside of this country. But as a church, we believe strongly that it is time for South Sudan, it is time for Africa to be engaged in solving our problems,” said the Pastor.

He said the target for this year is to equip, empower and give 250 mothers startup capital of about 160 US dollars each to begin their businesses, with continuous follow-up and support to sustain their livelihoods.

“The target for this year is we want to be able to equip, empower, and give 250 mothers startup capital of about 160 U.S dollars per each so they can begin their businesses,” said Pastor Menya.

Meanwhile, the Secretary General of South Sudan Athletics Federation, Marko Akol, said this will be the first time for the federation to organize three events in one day with – a half marathon of 21 kilometers, 10 kilometers and 5 kilometers.

“For us as a federation, it will be the first time to organize three events in one day and we did our part, by putting everything technically in place,” said the Secretary General of Athletic Federation.

Akol said one of the most important participants will be South Sudan’s champion Atalena Napule, the first South Sudanese to win a gold medal in Africa at the African Games in Accra in 2024.

“It will be the first time for Atalena to come to South Sudan after winning the gold because usually she’s training in Kenya,” added Akol.

On her part, Lilian Doki, one of the beneficiaries of the Neighbourhood Initiative and last year’s marathon, said she lost her husband long ago and was left to raise her children alone. She said with the help from Watoto she now sells liquid soap and has been able to register three of her five children to school.

“I used to just sell bananas and vegetables but the business was not consistent. But since I started making liquid soap, I am now consistently selling it and I’m grateful for what Watoto has done,” sadi Doki.

This year’s marathon is scheduled for Saturday, 3rd of October, under the theme Hope in Every Mile with core values to embrace, engage and empower vulnerable women. The Watoto Church said selected vulnerable women will undergo discipleship classes as core foundation to equip them with God’s word and trainings on tailoring, crochet knitting, liquid soap making, hair braiding and other practical skills with starter capital at the end of the training.

The church is encouraging the business community, general public and well-wishers to register for the marathon in order to raise funds to support the 250 vulnerable women this year.