Good Stuff in TEC: California

Ugandan orphans have home thanks to St. John’s


Sometimes, a once in a lifetime journey turns into a lifetime of opportunities. Just ask Rick and April Dobbs.

When Rick and April agreed to travel to Uganda in 2006 they had no idea they were embarking on a mission that would lead them to a second home and a second family.

“While we were there we saw so many children that were orphaned because of AIDS or malaria,” April said. “It was heart-wrenching to see those kids going without.”

During their stay in Uganda, Rick and April, who are members of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Roseville, met 6-year-old Mary whose mother was infected with HIV/AIDS and trying to support her children alone. Mary’s mother could barely afford food for her children let alone schooling. Rick and April offered to pay for a year’s tuition, school uniforms and extra clothing, school supplies and a backpack. The total out of pocket expense was $75.

“When we heard that she couldn’t go to school, we thought there was something wrong there,” Rick said. “We really felt like she deserved a better opportunity and if we could provide that, we would.”

Rick and April returned to California and shared with countless people their experience in Uganda and the children they met along the way. Soon, nearly 50 of Rick and April’s friends were sponsoring children in Uganda through the church’s pastor, Fred Rurihoona.

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