Government has disbursed K1.5 billion to 14 080 poor and labour-constrained families in Kasungu District from November 2024 to May 2025 as part of the Social Cash Transfer Programme.
The funds, ranging from K60 000 to K241 500 per household, targeted newly enrolled beneficiaries following a retargeting exercise conducted last year to recruit new households and graduate others from the programme.
Speaking on Friday after receiving her money during a pay parade, a beneficiary, Jessie Phiri from Traditional Authority Mwase, said she would use the money to start a small-scale business and acquire household assets.
“This money is enough to start a meaningful business venture and will go a long way in helping me buy essential items such as livestock for my family.
“We did not harvest enough maize due to erratic rainfall. So, we plan to use part of the money to buy maize to survive during the lean months,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Wezi Banda, thanked government, saying while she waited for a long period, the money accumulated to a significant figure that she will invest in a village savings and loans group.
“I urge my fellow beneficiaries to invest the money in small-scale businesses to graduate from poverty,” she said.
Kasungu district social welfare officer Raphael Chitete urged the new beneficiaries to use the money for its intended purpose to enable them improve their nutrition.
“We are confident that the programme is meeting its objectives of supporting the most vulnerable households in the district, providing them with a regular income to meet their basic needs, including supporting children in school,” he said.
Kasungu has at least 19 300 beneficiary households under the safety net initiative running with support from the World Bank and the Multi-Donor Trust Fund.
