Dr. Frank Gavin, Director of the Strauss Center welcomed the 2009 Crook Fellows to share experiences and findings from their summer research in developing countries on October 23, 2009.

Amanda Dillon spoke about her experience with A Glimmer of Hope Foundation in Ethiopia. She worked on creating a standardized reporting template and conducted research on micro-finance regulations and poverty and education statistics. During her internship, Ms. Dillon learned about life in a developing country and the relationship between governments and NGOs in Ethiopia.

Bonnie Doty discussed her work, also in Ethiopia for A Glimmer of Hope Foundation. Ms. Doty monitored microfinance programs, conducted research on funding instruments, and helped local microfinance institutions develop reporting standards. She was impacted by the achievements accomplished and challenges remaining for Ethiopia and the influence of wealthy donors.

Emily Joiner spoke about her work with the International Accountability Project in Peru. She conducted case studies of two International Finance Corporation-funded extractive industry projects in Peru: Maple Gas and Peru LNG in the Ucayali region of the Peruvian Amazon. She shared the findings from her assessment of the two projects. The outcomes of Ms. Joiner’s internship include collaboration with various NGOs, recommendations for policy review and an understanding of the importance of a voice for local communities.

Jenna Cullinane worked with the Makerere University and studied the emergence of community college models in Uganda. She conducted interviews at the Ministry of Education and made site visits at community colleges. She also analyzed the cost effectiveness of the public and private investment in community colleges. Ms Cullinane is writing a case study for a book on community colleges that will be published in the spring.

Maria Garcia worked with CHF International on a program to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in Honduras. She presented her findings on heterosexual transmission rates and people living with HIV/AIDS. She talked about the challenges she faced while interviewing sex workers in Honduras. As a result of her summer internship, Ms. Garcia wrote a book called Huellas de Vida (Traces of Life) that includes case studies illustrating preventive interventions among different populations.

Sarah Williams spoke about her experiences of working with the Uganda Village Project in Uganda. She was involved in construction of a shallow well and spreading awareness about and testing of HIV/ AIDS in a small village. Ms. Williams said the Crook Fellowship helped her get first-hand experience of NGO ground operations, experience of working with government officials, and empowering management opportunities.

The Fellows answered questions from the audience about their personal experiences in the field and the perceived US aid policy from working on the ground. Finally they all thanked the William H. Crook Chair in International Affairs for the opportunity that allowed them to understand life in a developing country and gather work experience in the grassroots.

The William H. Crook Chair in International Affairs works to strengthen and expand UT’s contribution to the national debate on development. It sponsors innovative research on global poverty with the specific aim of generating concrete, practical recommendations that policymakers and the public can embrace.

The Crook Fellows presented on their experiences working abroad.

Jenna Cullinane spoke about working with community colleges in Uganda.

Maria Garcia discussed working with HIV/AIDS patients in Honduras.

Sarah Williams worked in a small village in rural Uganda assisting with a variety of public health services.

Mrs. Eleanor Crook, whose late husband William H. Crook inspired the Fellows,
attended the presentations.

Strauss Center Associate Director Ambassador Engle and Director Dr. Gavin also attended.

The 2009 Crook Fellows presented to a crowd of LBJ students at Sid Richardson Hall.