Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP), locally known as Mtukula Pakhomo, has empowered 10 626 ultra-poor households in Blantyre, offering them opportunities to rise out of extreme poverty and regain dignity.
In an interview on Friday, Blantyre District Council chief social welfare officer Kumbukeni Kauwa said the programme has benefitted 5 979 female-headed households and 4 647 male-headed households.
goats. | Memory Chatonda
He said the programme’s success lies in its rigorous targeting mechanism, which uses the Malawi Social Register to identify the most vulnerable families.
“These include households with persons with disabilities, the elderly, child-headed families and those affected by chronic illnesses such as HIV and Aids. By providing financial support to these households, the programme bridges the poverty gap and improves living standards,” said Kauwa.
One of the beneficiaries, 49-year-old widow Rose Manyumba from Chigaru in Blantyre, hailed the initiative for transforming her life.
She said: “I was living a miserable life before I enrolled into the programme. But now things have turned around. I invested the money in village savings and loans groups. During share-outs, I received about K100 000, which I used to buy two goats.
“Today, I own 12 goats, chickens and rabbits.”
Manyumba also said she constructed a decent house, replacing a dilapidated one.
She said she graduated from the programme in 2024 after achieving financial stability.
Blantyre District Council is implementing the programme with support from the World Bank
