specific needs of children and elderly left behind as a ... - IOM Moldova

The well-being of migrants’ households
ever I will have strength I will do everything I need…I do not ask them
for money as I told them once that the washing machine ran out of order
and they sent me money without asking for it” (III_E_1).
A determinant in sending remittances is the presence of grandchildren
who are cared for by the elderly. In this case remittances
are sent frequently in different amounts: “He used to send us 100
USD anytime, he sent parcels by train or if someone else was coming
home…he sent clothing for children and food” (III_E_2). The fact
that institutionalization of the elderly was agreed upon with his
children determines the obligatory transfer to the institutions that
take care of the elderly.
A number of institutionalized people, regardless of whether they pay
a fee or not, benefit from additional support from their children: “I
was calling them when I needed money... I was not asking for a specific
sum but just what they could send. Or they rather send medicine
as it is better and cheaper abroad” (FG_E_3_urban_asylum).
This study revealed that the volume and frequency of remittances
are conditioned also by the situation and status of the person who
works abroad (salary, job, time of the year, etc.): “She isn’t working
now and I live on my pension. She used to send me 50 or 100 Euros
every month when she had the possibility. But it has already been 3
months since she sent me the money last time, as she does not have
anything to give” (III_E_4); “Never… I tell you as it is… He bought a
car there and needs to pay for it... His house... He is not employed now
and is registered at the Employment Agency in search for work… He
borrowed money to pay for his apartment” (III_E_11).
Bank transfers are not always approved by the elderly as it implies
going to the post office or to the bank and also to know what sum
was sent.
In the majority of cases, financial resources are saved and managed
by the elderly including when they have to take care of grandchildren:
“We spend the money after consulting each other what we should buy...
If we need something for the girls I call her, or we discuss it with my
daughter when she calls and she immediately sends us what we need, we
take decisions together” (III_E_15); “I do not give them (the grandchildren)
money in their hands” (III_E_17).
A specific feature revealed in spending money by the elderly refers to
their capacity to save money and be satisfied with little: “He keeps
everything in order not to be forced to spend too much”; “It will be of
use for the funerals”. This can be explained by difficulties this generation
underwent (Second World War, starvation), as well as by con-
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