By Andrew Mkonda

Lilongwe, December 11, Mana: Malawi’s development partners have expressed satisfaction with the progress in assessing the impact of the social protection programs they are funding.

Programme Manager for Social Protection of the EU Delegation, Arnold Chikavanga, said this on Tuesday at Mulinde Catchment in the area of Traditional Authority Malili in Lilongwe District.

Donors from the EU, Iceland, Ireland and Norway visited to appreciate, the first-hand impact of the Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project as well as the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP).

“We are so much impressed with what we have seen. Beneficiaries are explaining what they are expected to do to improve their livelihood. This is quite encouraging,” he said.

Chikavanga then applauded government for the effective implementation of the programmes, which he said are making a positive impact on the targeted households by contributing to their sustainable economic development.

One of the beneficiaries, Samalani Chimsoko, applauded the government for introducing the Social Cash Transfer Programme saying it has assisted in transforming many lives of the people in rural areas.

“Before this program, I was failing to provide basic needs for my family such as food and school fees for my five children, but now I can pay school fees for my children and I also started keeping pigs as a source of my income,” he said.

Lilongwe District Principal Social Welfare Officer Responsible for Social Cash Transfer Programme, Sarah Chimodzi said it is encouraging that many beneficiaries can invest in livestock, such as chickens, goats and pigs.

Chimodzi further said the programme has also assisted in reducing negative risks such as withdrawal of children from school and absenteeism among others.

Social Cash Transfer Programme in Lilongwe is being managed by the Malawi Government with support from the World Bank. It targets ultra-poor and labour-constrained households by providing them support in the form of cash.

The programme covers 22 Traditional Leaders and has a total number of 29, 512 beneficiaries.