You could try wiring them some money every month with specific instructions on how you want a portion of it spent. The remainder to be spent as the family sees fit. Then during your visits you can check to see if your wishes are being followed. A poor family is likely to burn through a small amount of money in almost no time. Putting some aside would be inconceivable. If you tell them how you would like to see the first portion spent before they use the rest on their priorities you might have some luck. You're in a tough position. I wish you the best.
:cheeky:
There is a 99% chance for above approach to turn out to be only the most effective way to burn money for nothing... well nothing... like, new "funny" color hair make overs, cell phone for the little ones, beer or better yet rum for everyone over 15... IT WON'T MAKE IT HOME FROM THE WESTERN UNION OFFICE. The fridge (if there is one) will still remain cooling a vacuum, the kids won't go to school because they don't have the uniform or the bus is not paid or they don't have for a snack or, or, or...
It's like farting into space... it doesn't even make a sound.
You can't entrust the handling of money to those who have no experience in it. Politically incorrect to state, but still...
IF you want to HELP with a RESULT, you need to help the kids and do it directly. Pay the school, the bus, the bookstore, the snack bar at the school, and the store which sells the clothes and last but not least, the tutor/after school for making sure they have their homework done and are assisted too... who would see after them having it done correctly at school, likeliness has it, that if they go beyond 5th grade they "academically" bypassed everyone else in the household.
IF you want to give them food (usually hunger is not really the big issue here in the DR), follow the suggestion and either buy and drop by the food or get them a store credit and hope they won't sell it for half it's face value (I've seen it).
Paying rent? Unless, YOU moved them because of school, don't or they will likely slow down on work so to just get by as they used to before... the fridge will still be empty... if they don't go and rent it to somebody else while you are away.
How can you help the adults? If you were here and had a business, you could TRY to give them work... and then, in many cases surprise yourself finding out many don't really want to be help, really.
Again, help the kids.
Many kids WILL APPRECIATE. But you have to make it work beyond just handing out money.
... J-D.