University of Wisconsin students who participated in a recent study abroad program in Uganda returned to Madison with more than the usual suitcase full of souvenirs–they brought home a cause.

The students have formed a group dedicated to building water tanks in rural Ugandan villages and supporting other international public health initiatives. The project has already received a $5,000 Wisconsin Idea Fellowship, which will fund construction of two new tanks next year.

“The people we met in rural villages often did not have access to clean water, which can lead to disease and sanitation problems” says Jenna Klink, a sophomore from Slinger, Wis., who is majoring in biology and women’s studies. “With the new water tanks, villagers will be able to have fresh, clean water.”

Klink and five others in the group spent about three weeks in Uganda over last winter break as part of a study abroad opportunity through the university’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Lead by professor of biochemistry James Ntambi and program director John Ferrick, students attended lectures at the Makerere University Institute of Public Health and visited rural medical centers, villages and homes to learn about health and nutrition in a developing country. A seventh group member is set to participate in the next program.

After witnessing the importance of clean water to basic health and sanitation, many of the students say that they felt compelled to act. “All of these problems–dehydration, disease, economics, politics–are related in one big web of issues,” explains Eric Monroe, a senior from Mequon, Wis., majoring in biochemistry. “And water quality is really the place where students can come in and help.”

Monroe also notes that the water tank project will be a service-learning experience for the next group of students in the program: they’ll be the ones who go into the communities to help to build the tanks and distribute educational materials.

The group has raised enough money to build at least a few tanks, and is applying for more grants. They’re also branching out and starting a student organization dedicated to international health projects, one of which may be supporting a planned center for nutritional education and outreach in Uganda.

And the students, many of whom are planning careers in health and medicine, say that the experience has made a lasting impact both on their goals for the future and on their perspectives of the world. “This has shown me the difference between having knowledge and applying knowledge,” says Matt Hunt, a senior majoring in biochemistry from Muskego, Wis.

And that’s exactly the benefit of international programs like this one, says John Ferrick of the CALS study abroad programs. “This project clearly demonstrates how meaningful a study abroad experience can be. These students saw first hand the health issues facing people in developing countries and are doing something to directly impact lives in rural Ugandan villages–and they have a broader perspective on their own careers.”

Other group members are Kaitlyn Duckert, a junior majoring in nursing from Waterloo, Wis.; Callie O’Neil, a junior majoring in zoology from Muskego, Wis.; Abby Stepaniak, a junior majoring in rehabilitation psychology from Wauwatosa, Wis.; and Jessie Thompson, a senior majoring in agricultural and applied economics from West Salem, Wis.

For more information, contact John Ferrick (608-265-3705) or Jenna Klink.