Megan Gash

Megan Gash designs and implements studies that measure the efficacy of Freedom from Hunger’s programs. Her recent research focuses on savings groups, youth financial services, food security, and resilience. In 2013, Megan was awarded the Practitioner of the Year by the SEEP Network.

By Megan Gash

Blog

User-Centered Financial Services Build Household Resilience

"Resilience" refers to the ability to anticipate, respond to and recover from shocks. Freedom from Hunger used “resilience diaries” with 46 households in Burkina Faso to research whether financial services could play a greater role in building household resilience.
Research

The Role of Financial Services in Building Household Resilience

This paper draws upon formative research, “resilience diaries,” qualitative follow-up, and economic games to illustrate how families anticipate and cope with shocks in Burkina Faso. Designing for these household behaviors and preferences could improve financial services offered for building resilience.
Research

How Do You Know “Resilience” When You See It?

The findings presented in this working paper are based upon research conducted in Burkina Faso. They provide unique insights into the set of factors, if reinforced by financial institutions and development practitioners, that are likely to strengthen household resilience.
Research

Designing Financial Services to Respond to Household Shocks

This case study from Burkina Faso highlights key findings from the CGAP resilience research that can help guide further thinking about how to best design financial products for anticipating and covering health shock expenses.
Research

Resilience and Health Shocks

Based upon the findings of a field experiment conducted in rural Burkina Faso, this working paper suggests that health savings accounts and health loans have the potential to help the poor better manage health shocks and build resilience.