Social Cash Transfer scheme transforms lives in Lilongwe

Beneficiaries of the Social Cash Transfer Programme in Lilongwe have touted the initiative for transforming their lives and say they are ready to graduate to independence.

One of the SCTP beneficiaries, Sikenala Pondamali from group village head Mkuta in Traditional Authority (T/A) Kabudula, said his family is now living a better life.

“I joined the programme at a time when I was hopeless after selling a few of my household items to support my sick child. At first, I was just using the money without any plans to invest,” he said.

Pondamali said three months into the programme, they underwent a financial management training where, among other things, they were encouraged to join village savings and loans groups through which they could invest and grow their money.

Through the village savings and loans group, Pondamali, who receives K8 000 monthly, ventured into a business of dry fish and is now a proud owner of livestock which include 18 chickens, eight doves and four pigs.

“The programme is  transformative as I have recovered all the household items that I sold when my child was in and out of hospital. I also use some of the money that I receive to further grow my business capital,” he said.

Lilongwe district social welfare officer responsible for the programme, Arnold Mndolo, said there was  progress transforming lives of beneficiaries in the district.

“When identifying beneficiaries, we look for the ultra-poor who cannot sustain themselves,” he said.

The programme is an unconditional transfer targeted at ultra-poor and labour-constrained households. 

Out of 22 T/As in Lilongwe, 18 are benefiting from the programme which World Bank is supporting through the National Local Government Finance Committee.

Since 2018, about 30 000 households in Lilongwe have been benefiting from the programme dubbed Mtukula Pakhomo.