By Clarabella Chipolonga
Chiradzulu, April 29, Mana: Member of Parliament for Chiradzulu East, Joseph Nomale, has handed over money amounting to K10 million, through Constituency Development Fund (CDF), to 27 Village Saving and Loans (VSL) groups from the constituency to help recipients boost their business capital.
Speaking over the weekend at Namalamba Community Day Secondary School in Traditional Authority (TA) Kadewere in the district, Nomale, expressed hope that the funds will transform lives of members of the VSLs to help them recover from shocks.
“People from this area face many challenges due to natural disasters such that they don’t have enough food to feed their families.
“I want these people to do businesses. l am sure that they will be able to buy themselves food and other basic necessities,” said Nomale.
Chiradzulu District Council Community Development Officer, Lovemore Kachala, expressed hope that the loan will assist many vulnerable people in the constituency thereby transforming their lives within a short period of time.
“Groups are expected to get into income generating activities once they get the loan or invest in their existing businesses. They have six months to repay the loans so that others can borrow and this is a revolving fund,” he said.
He said the groups will be trained on how to use the loan properly and will be monitored to see how they are faring.
“We have Village Development Committee, Area Development Committee's, Community Development Assistants, senior chiefs as well as village heads to work together in tracking the loans. It will not be difficult to get them because these groups are registered,” he said.
Chairperson for Kadewere Pastors Fraternal, Rev. Piason Binali, who got a K700, 000 loan, said he will invest in buying and selling of food crops.
“In addition to buying food crops, we will also start rearing chickens for sale to improve household income for sustainable livelihood aside from ministering the Word of God.
“We believe we will also be able to help the needy in our churches and communities. This is why we are celebrating knowing our lives will not be the same," he said.
