| dc.description.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
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. | en_US |
