I am researching the effect of remittances sent by immigrants in the
US to their home countries, (my particular interest is remittances
sent by African immigrants). It is interesting to note that for many
countries in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia,
remittances make up the largest form of foreign direct investment!
(See an example of Mexico's situation here:
http://wais.stanford.edu/Mexico/mexico_remittancesfromus52003.html)

When you analyze the remittance market, you realize that there aren't
any services that help manage the money once it is sent home (the
services exist in sending the money home, but not help managing it). I
think a market exists for such a service. There is need to efficiently
manage remittances sent home by hard working immigrants. I hope to
build a case for such a market.

I want to find out the uses of remittances once they are sent home.
Are there common uses for the money, e.g. is most money remitted
mainly for food? Where in the hierarchy of remittance needs does,
education, small business investments, healthcare, real-estate,
community development, etc fall?

Where can I find statistics that show the uses of remittances?
(Preferably in Africa, but elsewhere is fine). I want to see research
that shows the breakdown of what the money is used for once it is sent
home?

I would suspect the money is mostly for subsistence and basic needs. 
I would be very suspicious of any services that offer to help manage
these meager funds.

It is true; most money is probably used for subsistence and basic
needs. Which is why, I imagine a service that will for example: form a
partnership with a large grocery store to provide discounted
'remittance' vouchers (you can use these vouchers only at the grocery
store). In exchange the service will divert a % of annual remittances
to the grocery store and pass on the discounted remittance vouchers to
the beneficiary of the money sent. This is the trend of services that
can be developed in the remittance market. (I assume some type of
services already exist like this, but I have no concrete proof)

Finding out what most of the remittances are used for is of much help
in building up a case for such a service. Any help/suggestions are
appreciated....