Cash transfer for orphans and vulnerable children as a form of human capital investment in Homa Bay county

Abstract

The study investigated the role of CT-OVC as a form of human capital investment on the beneficiary OVC living in Homa Bay district of Homa Bay County. The CT-OVC is one of the forms of social protection rolled in Kenya transfer under the ministry of devolution and planning with an of fostering OVC in households and building their human capital. The study was therefore focused on as to whether the CT- OVC programme has had an impact on OVC human capital and changed the perception of the society on orphan hood. The study used a cross-sectional descriptive design applying the theories of human development and resilience. It covered two locations where the CT-OVC programme is implemented in Homa Bay County including, Homa Bay Town and East Kanyada locations. The study examined the conditions under which OVC live, how the beneficiary families use the CT-OVC cash, how it builds OVC human capital both directly and indirectly and whether it helps to cushion OVC related shocks and vulnerabilities. The subjects of study included OVC, OVC caregivers, implementers and knowledgeable stakeholders in CT-OVC issues. This study mainly used qualitative methods with limited appreciation of quantitative methods. The data collection methods included in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, case narratives and observations. Qualitative data obtained were analysed thematically and illustrated in form of direct verbatim while basic demographics were analysed using SPSS version 20. The findings indicate that the CT-OVC is a major form of investment in the human capital of the OVC in Homa Bay District of Homa Bay County. The CT OVC forms the main source of income to most beneficiary households and is used to meet the basic needs of the OVC including food, health, clothing, shelter and education, hence empowering OVC and building xiv their human capital. The CT-OVC also helps to build the OVC human capital directly in the form of education (cultural capital), income (economic capital), food clothing and health (physical capital), dignity (symbolic capital) and increasing the OVC’s social network accounting for social capital. Indirectly, the CT contributes to OVC human capital through increased household income resulting into better living conditions for OVC. The increased income is invested in agriculture or small business enterprises to boost the household income. The household heads have also acquired a status of financial trust that allows them to borrow either money or essential goods from the local shops to pay later. The findings also show that the CT – OVC has helped to mitigate OVC related shocks that may hinder the proper development of OVC human capital such as child labour, child prostitution, hunger, school dropouts, street life, drug abuse and orphan-hood related conflicts and stigma. In conclusion, the CT-OVC has and continues to develop the human capital of the OVC and as such fulfils article 43 of the Kenyan constitution on economic and social rights and article 53 which gives the child rights to free and compulsory basic education, to basic nutrition, shelter and health care; to be protected from abuse, neglect, harmful cultural practices, all forms of violence, hazardous or exploitative labour; and to parental care and protection.