__________
I will be spending the next little while compiling a Literature Review on Health Equity Funds (HEF) in Cambodia. I feel kind of silly being in Cambodia and doing a literature review because I feel like I should be out in the field rather than in the CIH office reading online articles and typing on my computer. At the same time though, the Literature Review is a VERY important part of the report we hope to produce. The reason it is so important is because it puts the Most Vulnerable Families List (MVFL) and HEF in context. How useful is the MVFL as a poverty-reduction strategy? How does it compare to other strategies that currently exist?
Or, in business terms, the point of the Literature Review in this case would be to introduce our product - the MVFL. What is it? Why do we need it? How is it going to improve the awesomeness of our lives? Apparently, many NGOs do not engage in a lot of research (mainly because they are afraid that private donors would not be willing to fund it). More and more NGOs, however, that they really should be investing in program evaluation if they want their programs to improve and make sure that their programs are really reaching their target population.
I am so glad that I majored in Anthropology. I think I would find this work impossibly overwhelming if I didn't have that training from Haverford College. So, even though I have my work cut out for me for the next 6 weeks, I am very happy right now that I have some experience doing Literature Reviews, and hope that this one will come out nicely. :)
I was wondering, Christine, are there A LOT of business-like processes that do more "talk-the-talk" than "walk-the-walk" within charity organizations, especially out in the field like where you are now in Cambodia or you were previously in Ghana?
ReplyDeleteI know in your heart you also thank your mom for supporting you. I know you do.