Concern Worldwide charity workers are using mobile phones to help distribute cash grants to Kenya’s poorest residents. This innovative new way of helping people in desperate need is proving to be a real success in the slums of Korogocho and Kibera in Nairobi, where some 7,000 grants have been passed out. The grant works out at around 15 euros a month for eight months, which my not sound like a lot, but to the people of Kenya this helps them to pay for school fees, food, medical care and other essential items.
Aid agencies would normally give food to people who are hungry and living in dire straits. Yet by providing cash, this allows for double the impact as the money will be spent at the local market stalls which are run by the poor people, allowing for the extra distribution of the funds across the slums.
Concern Worldwide director for Kenya, Anne O’Mahony, said –
First of all, you can target the poor people with the cash. You’re also enabling the market sellers to earn and generate an income. If we were to bring in food we would undermine the markets and probably create more poverty as a result.
