By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, September 11, Mana: Elderly people in Nkhata Bay are praising the Social Cash Transfer Program (SCTP) for improving their lives, enabling them to meet their basic needs and providing financial security in their golden years.

In an interview on Tuesday during a media tour, Esther Kamanga, 68, from Makuzi cluster, Nabayoti Village in the area of Traditional Authority Malengamzoma, said her dream of having a house with a cement floor and electricity has become a reality through the program.

"At first, my house had no cement floor, and my grandchildren suffered from cough and respiratory issues. But thanks to SCTP, I have upgraded our home with a cement floor, iron sheets and currently targeting to finalize the windows.  My grandchildren are now healthy and thriving," said Kamanga.

Kamanga added that she has also secured a solar system for electrification at K120,000 through monthly installment payments from the K42,000 she receives.

Another beneficiary, Cecilia Nyasulu, 65, from Tayambapo cluster in the area of Senior Chief Timbiri said she saved enough money through Village Savings Loan groups and has started constructing a three-bedroom house.

"When I enrolled in the programme in 2022, I started selling fish and joined a village bank. I used the proceeds to mold 15,000 bricks and have started building a spacious house for myself and my eight grandchildren," she said.

Nyasulu commended the government for increasing the transfers and urged fellow beneficiaries to invest part of the money for sustainability beyond the programme.

In his remarks, Nkhata Bay Principal Social Welfare Officer responsible for SCTP, Wisdom Mwafulirwa, said he was impressed to see the elderly testifying to the program's benefits.

"The program targets households, not individuals. It is wonderful to hear the elderly testimonies about the program's benefits. The programme aims to alleviate poverty, and it is currently making tangible difference," he said.

According to Mwafulirwa there are currently 6,475 households in Nkhata Bay benefiting from the program, and the district will retarget beneficiaries in 2026.

SCTP is Malawi Government's program being implemented across the country through the National Local Government Finance Committee with financial support from the Multi-Donor Trust Fund and World Bank.