By Charlie Ligomeka

Machinga, February 7, Mana: Climate Smart-Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) has brought a glimmer of hope to over 23,400 households in Machinga by providing them with a critical financial lifeline to overcome hunger and poverty during the lean season.

According to a participant from Chiudya Village in Traditional Authority Kawinga, Abdul Khalimu Maulidi, the cash payment has been a huge relief.

Maulidi, a father of four, claimed that he had been struggling to make ends meet, but that with the cash payment, he can now afford to buy food and other basic household items.

“I was worried about how I would feed my family, but now I can sleep with a clear conscience. I can also invest in my children’s education which is crucial for their future.

“I can now provide for my family and send my children to school. My crops failed due to the dry spell, but thanks to CS-EPWP, I have a new lease of life,” Maulidi said.

Another participant, Violet Kachepa from Kawinga echoed Maulidi’s sentiments, saying the wages from CS-EPWP have changed her household’s fortunes.

“I can now buy food, pay school fees and invest in my children’s education. This programme has really helped us. We were struggling to make ends meet, but now we have a sense of security,” Kachepa said.

On the other hand, Haji Maonda, a father of six from Chikaonda Village, said he is investing whatever he earns from the programme in his children’s education since that was not the case before he was involved with the programme.

Maonda, however, believes that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.

“With the money I have received, I will clear school fees balance and buy some few educational materials for my daughters. Education is the key to unlocking my children’s future and CS-EPWP has given me the opportunity to make that happen.

“In fact, I want my children to have a better life than I have and education is the only way to achieve that. CS-EPWP has given me the opportunity to invest in my children’s future,” he said.

CS-EPWP Machinga Project Coordinator Kingsley Pendame emphasised that the programme focuses on environmental sustainability and poverty reduction.

“CS-EPWP has provided a safety net to vulnerable households by enabling them to cope with climate-related shocks and build resilience. We’re also promoting climate-smart practices which will ultimately restore good rainfall patterns in Machinga and Malawi,” Pendame said.

Pendame added that the programme has also helped to reduce poverty and hunger in the district.

“Many households in Machinga rely on rain-fed agriculture which makes them vulnerable to climate-related shocks. CS-EPWP has provided a critical financial lifeline to these households thereby enabling them to overcome hunger and poverty,” he said.

The CS-EPWP payments are being rolled out across Machinga District, covering areas such as Upper and Lower Mikoko, Upper and Lower Likwenu and Nyenyezi catchment, among other areas.

The CS-EPW programme with financial support from the World Bank, aims at promoting climate-resilient agriculture and natural resource management practices among rural communities in Malawi.