Embrace saving culture,Nkhotakota people told

 Nkhotakota District Council community development assistant Kelyn Ghambi has urged beneficiaries of government’s safety net programmes to embrace a saving culture to improve their socio-economic status.

He said this on Tuesday during a learning visit of Mkwayule Cluster from Kasungu to Tikolole Cooperative in Nkhotakota that comprised Social Cash Transfer Programme beneficiaries supported by Comsip Cooperative Union Limited.

Ghambi said joining Comsip clusters will equip the beneficiaries with skills to fight poverty.

He said: “We have seen the lives of ultra-poor people being transformed through the clusters that support them to have sustainable livelihoods.

“Through the clusters, people received K300 000 capital each and they were equipped with essential skills to run businesses.

“It should be a priority among Social Cash Transfer Programme beneficiaries and Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme to join these clusters for improved lives.”

Tikolole Comsip Cooperative member Sonia Peter said with financial support and education from the initiative, she is self-reliant

“I am economically active because of the cooperative that enables me to access capital to start selling fritters [mandasi]. I also started piggery with the capital. I am able to provide basic needs for my four children,” she said.

Mkwayule Comsip Cluster member Paulo Mwale said they also have improved agri-based livelihoods and food security.

He said: “We enjoy bumper crop yields courtesy of the Legumes Enterprise and Structured Production [Lesp] initiative. We have been provided with seeds and pesticides for the past three growing seasons.”

Comsip development communication officer Mercy Kayuni said they strive to enhance capacity of poor communities to be self-reliant and sustain livelihoods through financial initiatives.

Comsip is implementing the initiatives through the World Bank-funded Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project