Assuming that is a monthly income, then it makes huge difference among any families in Kenya.
May 30, 2010
Money to Kenya by: Debra
Hi Tracey
For the past 18 months i have bween sending money to Kenya to help with the education expenses for a young fellow. I havnt been sending much - maybe $400 US per year.
I am going to Kenya next month to meet him and to visit his school etc to find out what the actual costs are and to see if i can work out a better way to send the money rather than bank transfer which is quite expensive.
Once I am back i will let you know what i find.
Deb
May 05, 2010
200 Dollars by: Archie Melrose
Tracey
Bottom line is this - If you commit to sending that amount of money to a family then you will keep them alive and with food for a month or more. Do not send money to any other party apart from the receiver.
I know this because I know my extended family in Nakuru and I have been round the markets to buy food.
Kind Regards
Archie
May 05, 2010
Western Union by: Archie Melrose
Tracey,
Thanks for your mail and just to let you know there are several ways to send money to Kenya. I always used Western Union and I know it gets to the right person at the right time. Yes you can send it in minutes or next day but it always costs to do so.
Western Union have recently come up with MPESA which is instant transfer to a mobile phone in Kenya. Its cute and yes it works. I have been astounded about how efficient and workable it is. Perhaps you may look to that as an option.
Kind regards
Archie
May 02, 2010
What would $200 do for a family in Kenya? by: Chris - A child of Kenya
THE ANSWER to your question is not simple at all.
If I lived in a small village with my wife and four children and earned a small living from growing and selling produce, the possibility of sending my children for full time education would be remote. $200 may not cover the annual fees for just one child.
There is some measure of Government help towards primary education, but parents are expected to contribute a considerable amount in comparison to what they earn.
If I had no means of getting fresh drinkable water other than having to buy it each day or walk miles to a muddy well or river to get it, then $200 would help towards the purchase and installation of a simple borehole handpump that might provide enough clean water for my family and other villagers and possibly help to irrigate my small 'shamba'as well, to grow more and hopefully earn more so that I can send all my children to school.
If I lived on the coast or near Lake Victoria, maybe it could be best applied to buying DEET or DDT impregnated mosquito nets and spray to protect against the biggest killer disease in the world - Malaria. The typical 'free' anti-malaria drugs are not working because they don't tackle the problem.
Or, do I think that my first child should receive the $200 towards her school fees because in the future, he or she will be able to make a difference. I don't have a bank account, because I don't earn enough, so unless the money is handed to me personally, I doubt if it would reach me. There has to be a way to verify that it has been applied properly and not just taken from me.
