During finals in May, college sophomore Megan Battin decided to make a service trip to Uganda.
Two months later, she’s the driving force behind UR Uganda: Clinics for Lugala, a University of Rochester student group looking to gain non-profit status.

Battin, a 2008 graduate of Hamburg High School, had gone to Africa once before, and from then on, her life changed.

“You get there and you’re in an infomercial,” said Battin, referring to the sad television announcements asking viewers to sponsor a child as flies swarm young, hairless children and babies cling to their hopeless-looking mothers.

“I’ve never been so depressed,” she said. “I was like ’What the hell do I do?’”

That’s why the rising junior has decided to return with 15 to 20 people on Dec. 27. Something will be done.

Battin, the daughter of Joseph and Kathleen Battin of Hamburg, frequently referred to Jeffrey Sachs’ book entitled “The End of Poverty.”
Of particular interest to Battin is this passage from Sachs’ book:

“Every day in the developing world more than 20,000 people die from extreme poverty. Every 30 seconds a child dies from malaria. Tuberculosis and AIDS devastate Africa and thousands die from diarrhea, respiratory infection, and other killer diseases that prey on bodies weakened by chronic hunger. These poor people die in hospital wards that lack drugs, villages that lack malaria nets and houses that lack safe drinking water.”
There is one nurse in Lugala – Clementina, whom the villagers call doctor. The widow preaches at the church and cares for all 26,000 Lugalans, which is about the population of Orchard Park.
Battin communicates with Clementina via e-mail every few weeks when the nurse can get to a computer.

“It’s just one woman taking care of all those people,” said the 20-year-old Battin. “She’s a miracle woman, and she’s the reason I can make the connection.”

The UR team will build an 18-by-24-foot extension on her 16-by-16-foot clinic. The addition will cost $8,000, but Battin has no doubt the group can raise the funds.

“We will reach our goal,” said Battin, a public health and American Sign Language major. “A lot of people will let us down along the way, but for everyone who lets us down, other people will surprise us and rise to the occasion to do something amazing.”

The volunteers, who will fund their own tickets and travel expenses, have 13 days to lay concrete, homemade bricks, plaster and put a tin roof on the structure.

They’ll bring two 50-pound bags filled with donated medical supplies. Their carry-ons will contain their personal belongings – a few articles of clothing.

Any extra money raised will go toward the clinic or BioSand filters, which provide a household with 10 years of clean water.

Currently, the people must walk 12 miles to get dirty water or they collect rainwater.
If someone donates money specifically for malaria nets, building supplies, a filter or anything else, Battin said she will make sure the money goes toward that item.

“People surprise you. One kid offered to donate all her graduation money,” Battin said. “Great things just keep happening.”

Battin’s father owns Battin Optical and donated 500 eyeglasses. She has learned to give eye exams to help the Lugalans.

“Many people think that people in third world countries need change. But it’s the opposite; they need opportunities to enhance their beautiful culture,” Battin said.

Battin said she has never seen harder workers than the people of Uganda. They will travel all day just to sell one piece of corn.

A lot of them don’t know of any other professions, so they all sell the same product. The supply of that product is very high, while the demand is low.

“I thought the people of Uganda just needed to go find jobs and work harder,” Battin said. “I have never encountered a community that works as hard as the people of Uganda. They work from dawn until dusk trying to make a penny. It’s sad but so inspiring at the same time.”

Battin hopes her work will continue even when she’s gone. By giving the Lugalans chances, they can carry on what UR Uganda has accomplished, becoming more advanced and self-sufficient.
“They are brilliant people but they just don’t have teachers,” she said. “If one child could come here, they’d become a CEO.”

After graduating from medical school, Battin hopes to start a family practice in the United States and live in Africa four months every year.
To make a contribution to the group or for more information, call Battin at 949-6076 or send an e-mail to: lugala.battin@gmail.com.

You can also mail donations and correspondence to CPU Box 271715, Rochester, NY 14627.
Information is also available online by visiting www.uruganda.com.

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