Impact of Migrants Remittances on People’s Lives in their Areas of Origin in Moshi Rural District, Tanzania

Abstract

Rural to urban migration is a common phenomenon in both developed and developing countries. It has both positive and
negative impacts on both areas of migrants’ origin and destination. This paper examines the impacts of migrants’ remittances on rural communities of Moshi Rural District in Kilimanjaro region. Both qualitative and quantitative research techniques were employed
during the study. Questionnaires, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and direct observations were employed in this
study. The study was guided by Mabogunje’s System Approach Model. A sample size of 127 individuals was recruited to participate in
this study. Among those, 100 household heads were randomly selected from Tema, Mlowonyi and Otaruni villages, while 9 key
informants and 18 participants for three focus group discussions were purposefully selected from the selected villages. Descriptive and thematic data analysis techniques were employed. Findings revealed that rural-urban migration has positive and negative consequences in the areas of origin. Among the noticeable positive impacts on the households include the provision of remittances such as foodstuffs, clothes, and money. Also, migrants participate in household affairs such as paying school fees, building houses, as well as establishing various projects such as cattle rearing, haircutting, and dressing saloons, grinding mills and poultry. On the other side, the shortage of family labour force and loneliness were among the negative impacts. The study concludes that migration has been an institutionalized way of life in the area of study, and it is an ingredient in improving people’s lives. The study recommends that the government should exploit the enormous potential of remittances for rural development and rural poverty reduction by creating a facilitating environment with support from home town associations. This can be attained by facilitating the development of financial instruments and intermediation, financing projects and programs which link up with other rural development activities.