VT College of Science Magazine Annual 2014 | Page 25

Microfinance, on her own time

S

erving others is a
large part of what
makes Virginia Tech
special. From its motto,
Ut Prosim, (That I May
Serve), to the individual
accomplishments of its
students, the university’s impact can be felt
around the world.
Natalie Cauley’s impact on the world started on a trip to Dakar, Senegal, working with a microfinance institution with the economic
development goal of giving small-scale loans to people. As part of
the work, she went into communities and learned as much as she
could about the problems they faced and the demographics, using
this information to write needs and vulnerabilities assessments that
outlined both areas for improvement and those in the most urgent
need of help.

Cauley in Italy

six weeks, I was able to take a three-day trip to observe Village Bank
meetings of between 20 and 100 Senegalese women who received
loans on a six-month payback cycle. These loans are really highimpact for families and it was fascinating to see the group solidarity
build within a group of women.”
Cauley, whose interests lie in economic and social justice, is looking
forward to law school after graduation and has worked with Sheryl
Ball as a mentor.

“Those reports will be used in the future to guide work in those
communities. This way agencies will know the most pressing issues,
whether they be sanitation, electricity, or funds for business,” said
Cauley, a senior from Falls Church, Virginia, double majoring in economics and French with a minor in math.

“An economics professor put me in touch with her and she’s been
great,” Cauley said. “I talk to her every couple months, she’s such a
knowledgeable person and has been a great advisor both academically and professionally.”

The fluent-French-speaking Hokie became connected with the internship through a chain of family and acquaintances. Cauley created a proposal for the University Honors Sophomore Scholarship
program, seeking funding for two summers – an observational year
and a year to focus on helping the programs empower women. “I
didn’t get the scholarship but the honors department still funded
my way the summer after my sophomore year,” she said. “During the

Ball said Cauley plans to conduct research based on her time in Senegal, comparing the approaches of two microfinance organizations
she observed. “She plans to analyze why one was more successful
than the other and to add a specific case study to the debate on
microfinance that has been occurring in recent years.” The most interesting aspect of the report, according to Ball, was that there was
no assignment or academic task associated with the research – it
was just something she felt she needed to do.

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