By Martin Chiwanda and Charlie Ligomeka

Machinga, September 15, Mana: People in Machinga over the weekend applauded Government for continuing with the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP), which will enable them to buy food as most households did not harvest enough for the past two years due to rainfall pattern that was characterized by too much rainfall and El Nino induced drought.

Recent SCTP payout took place in many places including Mlomba and Chiwalo headquarters where beneficiaries received the amount of cash from K8,500 above depending on the number of people in a family and number of school-going children and other social determining factors. 

42 years old SCTP beneficiary from Sale Village, Traditional Authority Chiwalo, Grace Wyson, told Malawi News Agency that she struggled to feed three children, at the same time paying their school fees and providing other family necessities.

“I am a widow and my husband died, leaving me with three children, I have to look after them as there is nobody at home who has the capability of helping,” said Wyson, in charge of a female-headed household.

She thereafter commended government for introducing SCTP in her area saying the cash is providing food apart from supporting children's education.

A 37-year-old Eliza Anafi, from Saka Village, Traditional Authority Chiwalo said was grateful to be an SCTP beneficiary saying the monetary support will enable her to buy food for the family.

“I was worried as to how and where to get money to buy food to support my four children. I have a daughter at Mbenjere Secondary School, who needs school fees for her education,

“The assistance has come at the right time. Schools have just opened and will be able to pay school fees,” she added.

District Social Welfare Officer for Machinga, Lawrence Matiti urged SCTP beneficiaries to invest the money for the good of their families.

Matiti also advised the beneficiaries to learn from those who have been receiving the cash for some time and have their livelihood improved for the better citing expansion of their businesses, rearing of livestock, construction of decent houses and supporting child education.

Government introduced the SCTP under Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods (SSRL) funded by the World Bank and the Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) and is coordinated by the National Local Government Finance Committee.