The Impact of Energy Use on Poor Urban Livelihoods in ... - DfID

Financial
Human
Social
Shocks/trneds
Self-employed. Big farm over 100
acres; assesses as prosperous
farmer. Wife deals with livestock
as an IGA.
Difficulty paying for education (2
children in private schools:
TSh200,000 per semester for
English-medium school (tuition
only) and medical expenses for
family because <strong>of</strong> poor harvest
during drought. Vets fees are high
in urban areas. Medical services
for family expensive. When
financial difficulties borrow from
economically able friends and
relatives.
Don't borrow from banks and
financial institutions - worried
about conditionalities.
Mother contributes to family
income. No in kind contribution
from household members. 4
dependents - 3 daughters and 1
housegirl. 2 daughters in
secondary school and 1 in primary
school. Support elderly
dependents financially and
materially (don't live with them)
Wife belongs to church women's
group. Members provide in kind
assistance (physical labour, food,
firewood). Sometimes church
provides financial assistance.
Bad harvests affects seriously
affects income.
A Study <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Impact</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Energy</strong> on Poor Urban Livelihoods in Arusha, Tanzania
Wife has permanent job as matron
<strong>of</strong> Enaboishu private secondary
school 71 in Arumeru District and
main wage earner.
Minimum wage TSh 50,000 72 per
month. He gardens and farms in
Arumeru & keeps sheep & goats but
mostly for family’s own consumption
& not an economic activity 73 . Very
adept at finding urban grazing for
goats.
Difficulty in paying for children’s
education and medical expenses.
Sometimes problems paying for fuel.
S<strong>of</strong>t loans available from employer.
Do not borrow from financial and
credit institutions – exorbitant
interest rates.
Dependents – 3 children (2 boys stay with
father and daughter with mother) and 4
elderly relatives. His wife is absent during
the week & comes home at weekends
because <strong>of</strong> her job. Lunch is cooked by his
daughter-in-law; supper is cooked by his
sons – a form II student at Enaboishu
Secondary School & a son in Kaloleni
primary school.
Relatives and friends provide cash
and in kind assistance (food;
medicines; physical labour).
Wife belongs to church group. Also
belongs to kibati group and
contributes TSh 2,000/month. Helps
pay school fees.
Costs are mostly in terms <strong>of</strong> time for
providing assistance.
10 cell leader. Not a paid job and
time consuming in dealing with civil
and social issues. Only benefits are
some tokens/rewards given by
clients when they feel like it.
Bad weather afffect agricultural
production.
71 Under Lutheran church
72 Equivalent to £25.00 per month at exchange rate <strong>of</strong> TSh 2,000 = £1
73 Keeping livestock in this case is very much a matter <strong>of</strong> status
74 This required a visit to hospital
Income from trading in secondhand
clothing in markets. She
doesn’t pay tax. No transport
costs. She has a servant who
sells for her.
No permanent job or pension.
Assumed middle-income
bracket. Financial assistance
from parents-in-law and relatives
<strong>of</strong> late husband. Does not get
loans or credit because <strong>of</strong> high
interest rate.
Difficulty paying school fees and
medical expenses.
Husband died in 2000.
2 children, boy and girl, in
secondary school. Son, 16 yrs.
attends public boarding
secondary school in Moshi. Girl,
14 yrs. attends a private
secondary day school in Arusha
and lives with her mother.
Assistance from person
appointed by husband’s family.
Elderly parents living with her
but not dependents.
Doesn’t belong to any social
group.
Price increases make it difficult
to meet household expenses.
No permanent income in
form <strong>of</strong> pension. Has small
food (chip) business. Major
customers primary and
secondary school children.
Av. monthly pr<strong>of</strong>it btw
40,000-50,000. Cost <strong>of</strong>
charcoal per month is
80,000 (in dry season) and
96,000-112,000 (wet
season). Cost <strong>of</strong> potatoes
varies with supply.
Av.20,000 per 90 kg bag
which lasts for 1 week.
Difficulty paying rent &
medical expenses.
Business doesn’t pay
enough money. Borrows
money from relatives and
gets some financial support
from father <strong>of</strong> children. Also
relatives and friends. Not
reliable 7 sometimes only
after 6 months depending on
relatives ability.
Will not borrow from
financial institutions –
interest.
She has 3 children. 1
daughter cohabiting with
fiancée. Temporarily at
mother’s because she’d
been beaten by fiancee 74 .
Other 2 (boy and girl)
children live with father in
Moshi.
Sometimes supports her
grandchild. At time <strong>of</strong> study
had to accompany daughter
to hospital-had been beaten
by her fiancee.
Belongs to women’s church
group. Choir member.
Leader <strong>of</strong> a Christian group
in Mashariki – group
provides assistance to
members.
Secretary to Street Leader.
Municiplait started to employ
street secretaries as a paid
job. This means she will be
laid <strong>of</strong>f without any terminal
benefits.
Sudden sickness.
Granddaughter admitted to
Mount Meru hospital and
daughter recently beaten up.
Development Planning Unit, UCL London
Dr. Sheilah Meikle and Patrice North