Effects of cash transfer on the upkeep of orphans and vulnerable children in Mageta Island-Kenya

Abstract

The number of Kenyan children who are orphaned has increased as a result of HIV/AIDS. The government of Kenya seeks to support the right of orphans and vulnerable children in areas of child survival, child development, child protection and child participation through strengthening community structures. Cash payment of Kenya shillings 1,500 is paid per month to caregivers with orphans to cushion caregivers from economic vagaries. The study evaluated the effect of cash transfer on the lives of orphans and vulnerable children in ) Mageta Island, Bondo District. The study objectives were to establish the effect of cash transfer paid to caregivers in meeting the basic needs of OVC, to identify challenges facing the management of cash transfer program, to determine the perception of caregivers and the cash transfer amount paid towards the support of OVC and to investigate alternative interventions and coping mechanisms of caregivers visa- vis increasing number of OVC in relation to cash transfer. Cash transfer was the main variable in the provision of basic needs namely: food, shelter, education and health. The study employed descriptive survey design. In the study both qualitative and quantitative methods were used. Stratified sampling was used to choose a sample size of thirty one caregivers and one children’s officer. The main instruments in the study for gathering information were questionnaires and interview guides. Data analysis was done using computer based programme: Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Ver. 12.0). The study found out that cash transfer has made a positive impact on the upkeep of OVC by the caregivers in Mageta Island. The study also examined challenges facing the cash transfer programme. One major challenge that became vivid was the far distances caregivers have to travel to collect the money which reduces their take home. Two major recommendations which came as an outcome of the study was to advice programme founders to increase amount paid for OVC support and also to decentralize cash

The number of Kenyan children who are orphaned has increased as a result of HIV/AIDS. The government of Kenya seeks to support the right of orphans and vulnerable children in areas of child survival, child development, child protection and child participation through strengthening community structures. Cash payment of Kenya shillings 1,500 is paid per month to caregivers with orphans to cushion caregivers from economic vagaries. The study evaluated the effect of cash transfer on the lives of orphans and vulnerable children in ) Mageta Island, Bondo District. The study objectives were to establish the effect of cash transfer paid to caregivers in meeting the basic needs of OVC, to identify challenges facing the management of cash transfer program, to determine the perception of caregivers and the cash transfer amount paid towards the support of OVC and to investigate alternative interventions and coping mechanisms of caregivers visa- vis increasing number of OVC in relation to cash transfer. Cash transfer was the main variable in the provision of basic needs namely: food, shelter, education and health. The study employed descriptive survey design. In the study both qualitative and quantitative methods were used. Stratified sampling was used to choose a sample size of thirty one caregivers and one children’s officer. The main instruments in the study for gathering information were questionnaires and interview guides. Data analysis was done using computer based programme: Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Ver. 12.0). The study found out that cash transfer has made a positive impact on the upkeep of OVC by the caregivers in Mageta Island. The study also examined challenges facing the cash transfer programme. One major challenge that became vivid was the far distances caregivers have to travel to collect the money which reduces their take home. Two major recommendations which came as an outcome of the study was to advice programme founders to increase amount paid for OVC support and also to decentralize cash