More than Money Can Buy

The BOTA Conditional Cash transfer (CCT) program works to deliver financial support to poor families.
CCT beneficiary Arman Tuygunbekova is a nursing mother with two infants who is struggling to make ends meet.  We recently visited her during a CCT impact assessment trip to find out what effect the CCT program has had on her family. She was more than happy to share her story and graciously invited us into her modest home.  Upon entrance, we observed her two sleeping children and proceeded to converse in whispers so as not to disturb their slumber.

Though the amount of money Arman receives may seem small to many, it has greatly improved the living conditions of her family members. Mothers in rural areas of Kazakhstan tend to stay home to take care of their young children, and subsequently have very little time to work, pursue an education or better themselves.  After attending a few trainings offered by the CCT program’s volunteers, Arman feels empowered and credits a training on anemia prevention with improving her quality of life. “I’ve learned so many things. I even began cooking differently. My doctor diagnosed me with anemia a while back, and now I know need to eat to keep my iron at a sufficient level,” she said. Her new sense of empowerment has given her the confidence to socialize with other women from the village and develop lasting friendships. 

As the elder of her two infants has started attending kindergarten, Arman is grateful for the 2,700 tenge her family receives to ensure that her son, Nurbek, attends preschool regularly. Looking at her children, she smiles at the prospect of a better future for them. “Indeed, we are so lucky. We have it all now – financial support, knowledge from the trainings, and the new friends.”