Defying odds with social cash transfers

Loss of sight dims one’s chances in life, but Smart Chimbiya’s story shatters that stereotype.

While many might associate blindness with darkness, he sees opportunities and fervently pursues them to achieve his vision for self-reliance and community development.

Chimbiya’s life is inspiring to many in Mikundi Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Mabuka in Mulanje District.

Born blind 50 years ago, the farmer and entrepreneur does not let his disability define or deter him.

“Being blind does not mean I have to be lazy. As a farmer, I work hard for my family,” he says.

From a young age, Chimbiya never wanted to become a beggar due to his disability.

“I always felt that there was more to life than just my sight,” says the father of four. “I always look for opportunities in every situation.”

When he was chosen to go for a two-year agriculture training programme at Mulanje Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre for the Blind in 2014, Chimbiya was over the moon.

The training encouraged him to venture into full-time farming business to support his family and dreams.

“I was already married when I enrolled for the training. Then, I was selling shoes, but business was struggling,” he states.

Upon completion of the training, Chimbiya was selected for the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP).

With monthly cash-outs from the government initiative designed to ease the hardship of the poorest of the poor and the most vulnerable, he was investing part of it in farming and livestock while meeting his family’s needs.

He continues to do so up to date.

Chimbiya has bought iron sheets for a house which he rents out. He and his family occupies another in the vicinity.

In the backyard, his crop field can be seen.

He and his wife spend most of their time farming in a bigger field a kilometre away from their homestead.

Throughout the year, they grow maize and different vegetables for home use and for sale.

“The social cash transfer has given me a sense of independence and pride,” he says.

Chimbiya has developed a sixth sense which helps him detect even the slightest changes in his crops.

His story testifies to the power of determination and social support. Despite his condition, his life is inspiring the community and proving that disability is not inability.

The nationwide social cash transfer programme is funded by different donor partners.

The programme targets labour-constrained and ultra-poor households, including widows, orphans, women-headed households, children raising fellow children, people with disability and the elderly.

The monthly payouts vary from one household to another depending on a number of factors, including the number of children.

Beatrice Chifunga from Chirombo Village, T/A Chekucheku in Neno District, says social cash transfers have transformed her life.

The payouts help the  68-year-old widowed farmer support her son with disability.

 “As crop harvests are falling with climate change, the social cash transfers help me support my household with ease,” she says.

Chifunga also invests part of the monthly cash-outs in livestock farming.

She also buys maize for sale.

“As earnings grow, life is improving and I worry less,” says Chifunda.

She has also invested in different small businesses to cushion her household from hunger and poverty.

Just like Chimbiya, Chifunga says the SCTP has accorded her independence and dignity.

Neno District social welfare officer Amos Gondwe says approximately K1.3 billion has been disbursed in Neno since its inception in 2015.

He says: “Through the social cash transfer programme, many households have been transformed and have become self-reliant which is a good thing.

“This shows that the programme is a success.”

Mulanje district commissioner David Gondwe says most beneficiaries have become self-reliant after investing in various businesses, including livestock, which continues to benefit them.

“Here in Mulanje, over K5.5 billion has been used to support the beneficiaries and the fruits of this programme are noticeable,” he says.

The social cash transfer programme is part of government’s efforts to leave no one behind in the fight against hunger, poverty and inequalities in line with the global Sustainable Development Goals.