M’Mbelwa Council hails social cash transfer

M’Mbelwa District Council social welfare officer responsible for Social Cash Transfer Programme Shadreck Mingo has commended the safety net programme for transforming people’s lives in Mzimba South.

Speaking on Wednesday after briefing the district’s executive committee on the impact of the programme, he said since 2015, K6.7 billion has been disbursed to beneficiaries.

Said Mingo: “Since its inception in 2015, the programme has reached about 9 350 ultra-poor households with 40 000 beneficiaries in the district.

“The programme has transformed the lives of ultra-poor families in the district. Currently, it has 33 135 beneficiaries from 8 657 ultra-poor households with a monthly budget of K137 million. Out of this figure, 69 percent are women.”

He said the programme targets widows, orphans, the elderly, women-headed households and children-headed households.

“For now, a minimum cash out per household is K15 000 and we plan to extend the programme to reach to other vulnerable households depending on funding,” said Mingo.

One of the beneficiaries, Grace Sibande, a widow from Chalira Nkhata Village in Traditional Authority (T/A) Kampingo Sibande, said the programme has transformed her life.

She said: “When I lost my husband in 2014, I was struggling to raise my seven children. We had nothing to rely on until I started receiving cash-outs under the programme in 2015.

“I receive K20 000 and it has helped me to construct a house and start a small-scale business. I also save my money in a village loans and saving group and my shares have accrued to K145 000.”

M’Mbelwa District Council community development officer Topsy Kachere, who chaired the meeting, said the programme has the potential to uplift poor households from poverty.

The programme is funded by the European Union in the district.