Come to the Rescue organization reaches out to Ugandan orphans

By Sarah Middaugh, Staff Writer

 July 5,2004

PLYMOUTH—For the past two years, Steve and Kathy Smitha of Plymouth have been

 supporting 14 orphans of Uganda and Rwanda through an organization called Come to the Rescue Association. Of the 14 children, five are Rwandan genocide orphans and the other nine are Ugandan orphans.

            The Smithas started Come to the Rescue Association (COTREAS) with Father Muwonge Expedito on July 12, 2002. The Smithas became acquainted with Father Expedito, the assistant pastor, while attending St. Michael’s in Plymouth.

            “We got to know Father Expedito at St. Michael’s so he was a friend of ours. He later moved to Duluth, Minnesota to serve as a chaplain at a monastery,” Steve Smitha said.

            To celebrate their 30^th anniversary, Steve said that they traveled to Duluth to renew their vows. While they were there, Father Expedito proposed the idea of starting the organization.

            “At the time, Father Expedito was supporting four children on his own. He proposed that we start an organization to help support Ugandan AIDS orphans and Rwandan genocide orphans to pay for their education,” Steve said.

            “With the help of others, we investigated the matter, found all the paperwork, and now we’re a volunteer, non-profit organization in the state of Indiana with 501 (c) (3) status.”

            Recently, the Smithas decided it was time to go see the children they have been supporting and make sure everything was running smoothly. They left for Uganda on May 27 and for the duration of three-week trip, they stayed in Kampala, the capital of Uganda.

            “We went out to the different villages and took school supplies to all of the children we’re supporting,” Kathy Smitha said. “We had an abundance of pencils so we distributed them to the children. They were so grateful for the pencils.”

            The schools in Uganda are divided into early elementary, primary, secondary and college (advanced high school). As orphans, all of the children they support live in boarding schools.

            Steve said it costs their organization $300 a year for elementary school and between $800 to $1000 for secondary school.

            “We try to get them in the best school possible with the highest quality.” Steve said. “The cost includes tuition, books, clothing, school supplies, mattresses and wash basins, etc.”

            An important part of COTREAS is maintaining a family structure for the children, Steve said.

            “One of our goals is to create a family within the orphans,” he said. “We hope to raise the children up to become doctors, etc. so they may help support other children.”

            “It’s a beautiful country,” Kathy Smitha added. “The people there are the most gracious people I’ve ever met.”

            According to Steve, there are one million orphans in Uganda due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. He added that they would like the support to continue.

            “We try to do what little we can to help,” he said. “We’re trying to educate people on the plight of the orphans. We also pray for them.”

            During their time in Uganda, the Smithas also had an opportunity to tour parts of the country.

            “For one day, we went to the Queen Elizabeth National Park on the southwest side of Uganda,” Steve added. “We also went on a safari and saw the source of the Nile River.”

            Overall, Steve said it was a fantastic and emotional experience for them.

            “It was very emotional to actually see the children,” Steve said. “They are so energetic to learn.”

            The organization has a board of directors serving in Uganda, Kathy added. The board is comprised of two priests, a headmistress of one of the schools, an accountant and one layperson.

            “It is the board’s responsibility to make sure the children are keeping up with their homework,” she said

            “They also decide who receives money and ensure the children are in the best school they can.”

            Kathy added that they can always use more funds and volunteers. The children that COTREAS sponsor range in age from 9 to 18.

            “We plan on sponsoring as many children as possible, but we have to take it one step at a time,” Steve said. “It’s great if we can just help one child.”

            Both Steve and Kathy loved their visit to Uganda and plan to make it an annual trip.

            For questions or to become a volunteer, visit www.cometotherescue.org.