Community-based capital cash transfer to support orphans in Western Kenya: A consumer perspective

Abstract

Various types of ‘cash transfer’ are currently receiving much attention as a way of helping orphans and vulnerable children in Africa. Drawing on a qualitative study conducted in Western Kenya, this paper points to the strategy of community-based capital cash transfers (CCCT) as a particularly promising method of supporting orphans and carers. Qualitative data were obtained from 15 orphans and 26 caregivers in Bondo District, Kenya, beneficiaries of a CCCT programme run by a partnership between the community, the government social services department and a foreign donor. Our findings suggest that the programme not only increased food availability, but also enhanced social capital. Further research is needed to explore the potential of CCCT in supporting orphans and vulnerable children in countries with high orphanhood rates.

Keywords:

• Orphan care
• community support
• cash transfer
• Africa
• social capital

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank our colleagues with the Department of Gender and Social Services in Kenya, including Christopher Kipkemoi Rotich, and not least our colleagues with DANIDA and The Royal Danish Embassy in Kenya. Thanks to Aoro Cellestine, Kevin Otieno, Tobias Olang'o Nyabola and Vincent Onyango Ogutu of World Voices Positive Bondo for assistance with data collection, and thanks to Professor Catherine Campbell for her valuable comments on the paper. Lastly, we send our gratitude to the people of Bama for their participation and hospitality.