Social cash Transfer transforms people’s lives

People of Mchinji District have commended the Social Cash Transfer Programme for transforming their lives.

During a tour by Deputy Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Agnes Nkusa Nkhoma to monitor the programme’s impact, it transpired that some beneficiaries acquired assets while others ventured in livestock farming and small-scale businesses.

One of the beneficiaries, 92-year-old Tiodenji Madasi said she invested the money in livestock farming.

She said she bought goats which have multiplied to 150.

“Whenever I want money to buy something, I sell the goats. I am now able to support my family,” said Madasi.

Another beneficiary, 77-year-old Ackim Yeresani said he joined a village savings and loans group where he is saving his money.

“The savings have helped me to buy iron sheets for a house I want to construct,” he said.

Speaking after visiting the beneficiaries in Mikundi in Tradional Authority (T/A) Mduwa, Nkusa Nkhoma said the programme mostly targeted old people to alleviate their suffering.

She also encouraged beneficiaries to embrace a saving culture to benefit from the programme.

“Sadly, most people do not save. We tend to spend the little we get rather than saving it. I encourage beneficiaries to join village savings and loans groups to save their money,” said Nkusa Nkhoma.

The deputy minister commended Germany for sponsoring the programme.

T/A Mduwa said he was impressed with the way the programme is run in his area. 

He said the programme has transformed the lives of many ultra-poor people in the area.

“I condemn the habit of misusing the money,”  said Mduwa.