Touching Lives in Goz Beida through Cash for Work

This past week I was so proud as our staff facilitated a couple of project fairs which are part of our Cash for Work and Food for Work Programs. This is something I have heard a lot about while in Kenya but I’d never actually attended one. My staff did a great job! They are seasoned veterans at this as we have done many. Let me explain (and show you through the pics which run in order of the process) how it works and why I love it so much.

To begin, together with the chiefs and community committee we identify those beneficiaries that will participate in the program. Most of the beneficiaries will then work in a variety of projects we select around their camp. Projects include digging water pans to collect rain water which is needed in such an arid area; planting trees and caring for them as part of our reforestation program; digging demi lunes or building contour lines which helps slow rain run off and thus slows erosion and environmental degradation. As workers clock a certain amount of time they are earning work hours which are then translated into vouchers. There are also a select group of vulnerables who for a number of reasons can't work, they are also given vouchers. These vouchers are then able to be used at a project fair to purchase household items or food for their family.

So, after the beneficiaries have worked 10-20 hours our staff set up a project fair outside their camp. This involves coordinating with approximately 100 merchants from the area who agree to put on a one day market in a particular community. They must agree on common and fair prices that will assist the beneficiaries while still allowing the merchants to make a profit. They also must agree to come set up their temporary shop on the agreed upon day of the fair and receive only vouchers from the beneficiaries, no cash. Then at a later designated day they will be able to trade in the vouchers for cash.

Now, the day of the fair is very exciting. The committee is there to start the whole process, guiding the merchants on where to set up and at the same time setting up the temporary ‘bank’ where people will register and receive their vouchers. Once everything is set we start the fair. The first step is our staff call names on a list in groups and they are given a small sheet of paper with their information on it such as their name and the number of hours worked translated into a voucher amount. The beneficiaries take this slip to our registration table where they are checked then ‘sign’ which in this case is their fingerprint. They then receive their vouchers, in the 2 fairs I just worked the average amount was 15,000 CFA or $30.

Once the beneficiaries receive their vouchers they then move on to the last staff member who recounts the vouchers to verify the correct amount was given while at the same time taking a moment to make sure the person is clear on the value of each voucher as this is an unfamiliar form of ‘money’. At that point the beneficiary is able to get into the fair which is really just a temporary market.

This is one of the things I love about this program. Usually these beneficiaries have to travel a number of kilometers to get to the nearest market in Goz Beida but with our project fair they are able to get all the necessities right in their own spending no extra time, energy or money for transport.

We held two fairs this week and were able to assist over 1,300 families. Due to the fact that these families are displaced or refugees and live in camps they already receive a specific ration of food from the World Food Program’s distributions. These distributions are crucial but they are not comprehensive as they lack items such as vegetables and sugar. Many families are forced to sell half their food rations in order to get cash so they can buy these and other items. As we employ people into our Cash for Work and Food for Work programs they are able to work and earn an income which can be used to purchase items they lack and more importantly it gives people the ability to purchase items such as meat, sugar or tea or even household items without having to sell their much needed food rations.


I love that we are improving the physical environment and actually developing and investing in the community. What makes this even more special is that the area that is being developed is not going to be home to most of these people in the long run. They are displaced or are refugees and will most likely return home or to a more permanent location in the near future. These projects which are improving the land is actually helping to keep ethnic and tribal tensions low as these 'visitors' areinvesting in the hosts’ land. Another great thing about this program is the simple fact that we are creating meaningful work. When given the chance most people would rather work vs being given handouts. People like to feel valued and useful and there is a certain dignity that comes from earning an income. I also love the fact that we are providing the families a chance to be empowered and to choose how they will provide for their family. Instead of just waiting in line and getting a pre determined set food ration, families are given the chance to go shopping for their family’s particular needs at the fair.

This program was first looked at by merchants, local leaders and community members
with skepticism but is now a very popular program by all. Everyone seems to benefit in one way or another. The merchants are practically guaranteed a good profit, the host community and leaders see their land being improved and the workers get the income which they earned themselves and which allows for food and goods to be purchased which will surely impact the family in many ways.