Nkhata Bay district commissioner (DC) Rodgers Newa says the Social Cash Transfer Programme has transformed people’s lives.
The programme, which targets 10 percent of ultra-poor and labour-constrained community members, is phasing out next year.
Speaking on Friday during the programme’s review in the district, Newa said it was exciting that most households have developed a culture of saving, which is helping them to run their families efficiently.
“We faced few challenges during the programme’s implantation. The good thing we rectified the challenges the beneficiaries raised. Therefore, we can rate the programme in the district as successful,” he said.
Newa said beneficiaries have accumulated assets such as livestock and are able to support their children in school.
The DC appealed to beneficiaries to invest the money in businesses or save it with savings and loans groups.
On his part, Mkumbira Cluster Social Cash Transfer Programme chairperson Chimwemwe Kaunda said he was happy that most beneficiaries have set up small-scale businesses to help sustain their livelihoods as the programme phases out next year.
“However, there are some beneficiaries with chronic illnesses. These people need continued support from this programme,” he said.
Senior Chief Mkumbira said he was excited with the programme, saying it has improved people’s livelihoods.
“Some people have constructed decent houses because they were able to save money. These are people who did not dream of living in a decent house because they had no means of generating income,” he said.
Social Cash Transfer Programme is a component of the Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project.
With support from the World Bank and the Social Protection Multi-Donor Trust Fund, government is implementing the programme through the National Local Government Finance Committee
