Beneficiaries of Social Cash Transfer Programme in Mulanje District have expressed optimism that the safety net initiative will enable them graduate from abject poverty.
The programme is targeting 17 000 households in the district and has lifted some from low-income status to improved livelihoods through small-scale business ventures.
In an interview on Monday, Mulanje District Council spokesperson Alex Chitwere said the programme is a game-changer to vulnerable communities.
tree. l Innocent Chamtulo
He said through the programme, government seeks to transition beneficiaries from low to high income levels.
“The programme is registering a tremendous impact in the district. For the first time beneficiaries are receiving cash through electronic payment system, which is also good as it has reduced the council’s pressure of mobilising resources for disbursing cash to beneficiaries,” said Chitwere.
One of the beneficiaries, Ndifelanji Chideya from group village head Kalilima in Traditional Authority Nkanda, said the programme has transformed her household.
She said: “Before joining Mtukula Pakhomo [Social Cash Transfer Programme], life was difficult for us as we could not make ends meet.
“We lacked the capacity to produce enough for our family and lived a miserable life. But after being enrolled in the programme, we have seen some improvement in our family.”
Chideya said she ventured into a small business and in livestock farming to generate money.
Another beneficiary from the same area, Regina Matchipisa hailed government for introducing the e-payment system.
“We are now able to withdraw our money whenever we feel the need. Previously, we had to walk long distances to receive cash and it was difficult to plan and budget properly on how to use the cash,” she said.
Government is implementing the Social Cash Transfer Programme with support from the Multi-Donor Trust Fund.
