The Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund (MMMF) Board announces the 2009 recipients studying in the US and Canada, who were selected at the April board meeting after a presentation of candidates following months of hard work by the Selection Committee and Panel. The following 10 recipients will join the previously announced seven from the OSP/Africa program.

 

STELLA AJABJI, from Cameroon, is studying for a Master of Arts (Sustainable Development) at World Learning SIT Graduate, VT. Stella’s thesis is “Developing a microfinance project for women: assessing impact on poverty alleviation and environmental conservation”. She plans to return to Cameroon by August 2010, where she will be promoted to pioneer manager at the Environment and Rural Development Fund. She will create a microfinance program for women through its Center for Conservation Finance Program.

 

GRACE HANDY, from Sri Lanka, is pursuing a Master of Arts (Education) at Truman State University, MI. Grace’s thesis is “Strategies for working with emotional and behavior disordered children can be used for working with children who are victims of violence”. She plans to finish her studies by December 2010 and return to Sri Lanka to work with the University of Colombo’s teacher training program and enhance educational services via the university program. She would like to create awareness campaigns in connection with NGOs.

 

MARYANNE KAMAU, from Kenya, is a PhD (Health Education) student at the University of Western Ontario, Canada. Her thesis is “Exploring the impact of AIDS-related stigma on learning social interactions of children living with HIV/AIDS: a focus on AIDS orphans’ experiences in Nyumbani orphanage in Kenya”. She plans to complete her U.S. studies by summer 2012 and return to Kenya to teach and promote Health Education by collaborating with Kenya Education Institute to design health education programs.

 

EKAWATI LIU, from Indonesia, is undertaking a Masters (International Development) at American University, DC. Ekawati’s thesis is “The roles of international NGOs in promoting effective self-governance in disabled persons’ organizations in developing countries (Case studies: Nepal & Tibet)”. She plans to return to South East Asia by June 2009 to work independently for international NGOs, design and develop school curricula, and train teachers.

 

GLADYS MOMANYI, from Kenya, is working toward a Ph.D. (Conflict analysis and resolution) at Nova Southeastern University,FL. Gladys’s thesis currently is on internally displaced persons. She plans to finish her studies in the U.S. by June 2011 and go back to Kenya to work in the Department of Religions at Kenyatta University to initiate a program in Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies.

 

ARUNDATI MURALIDHARAN, from India, is a PhD (Public Health) student at Boston University, MA. Arundati’s thesis focuses on developing an intervention with female sex workers and their nonpaying partners in red light districts of Mumbai. She plans to finish her studies by June 2010 and return to India to pursue a leadership position in a public health organization which promotes the health and rights of women and girls.

 

FARINA SO, of Cambodia, is studying for a Masters (International Affairs) at Ohio University, OH. Her thesis is “Experiences and Expressions: Cham Muslim women under democratic Kampuchea”. She plans to finish her studies in the U.S. by July 2010 and return to the Documentation Center of Cambodia to establish a women’s study center for research and development. Her research will contribute to the public education system by enhancing its curriculum on modern Cambodian history.

 

MARCELA VECCHIONE GONCALVES, of Brazil, is a PhD (Political Science) student at McMaster University, Ontario, Canada. Marcela’s thesis is “On Boundaries Inside: Indigenous people and the limits of citizenship”. She plans to finish her studies in Canada by January 2011. She will return to Brazil to create a project in alliance with indigenous organizations to promote the education and health of indigenous people, as well as to implement rights that can guarantee their cross border mobility between the countries through which they transit.

 

VIDA YAKONG, of Ghana, is undertaking a PhD (Medical Anthropology) at University of British Columbia, Canada. Her thesis is “The influence of gender relations on women’s reproductive health care decision making in Ghana”. She plans to finish her studies in Canada by summer 2012 and return to Ghana. There she will teach and train nurses at Tamala University and continue her work with “Ghana Rural Opportunities for Women”, a project she founded in 2007.

 

WAGANESH ZELEKE, of Ethiopia, is pursuing a Master of Arts (Education) at Illinois State University, IL. Waganesh’s thesis is “My Brother with Autism”. She plans to finish her studies in the U.S. by August 2010 and return to her work at the Joy Center for Children with Autism in Ethiopia, helping families and children through early intervention programs. She would like to collaborate with other children-centered organizations, community leaders and agencies to advocate and lobby policy makers.