Revision history [back]

I concur with Bobby that the right level is critical in making the money work, and it also depends on whether you are talking about one off payments or regular cash transfers. A few years ago I evaluated a HIV/AIDS orphans and vulnerable childrens programme which encouraged children to be housed within extended families who were often very poor. Cash incentives were given, but some of these families were so below the poverty line and using any cash they had for the purpose of consumption, or emergency payments for something (usually for medicine or Drs fees) the amount given was simply not enough for them to break out of extreme poverty. So knowing what the threshold should be is important - such that surplus can be invested towards that family's development (i..e making the money work)

I concur with Bobby that the right level is critical in making the money work, and it also depends on whether you are talking about one off payments or regular cash transfers.

A few years ago I evaluated a HIV/AIDS orphans and vulnerable childrens children's programme which encouraged children to be housed within extended families who were often very poor. Cash incentives were given, but some of these families were so below the poverty line and using any cash they had for the purpose of consumption, or emergency payments for something (usually for medicine or Drs doctor's fees) the amount given was simply not enough for them to break out of extreme poverty.

So knowing what the threshold should be is important - such that surplus can be invested towards that family's development (i..e (i.e. making the money work) work).