By Salome Gangire

Neno, October 3, Mana: Social Cash Transfer (SCT) beneficiaries in Neno District have been urged to join Savings and Loans (VSLs) as it is a springboard to economic empowerment and wealth creation.

Neno District Community Development Officer (DCDO) Rabton Dyeratu appealed Wednesday at Lusingwi in the area of Traditional Authority Symon during sensitization of Social Protection for Gender Empowerment and Resilient (SP-Gear) project.

He said the project would like to inculcate a culture of savings among the communities, especially those on SCT so that they should be self-reliant when the time for graduation comes.

“No money is too small to save and one by one makes a bundle. Therefore, we are encouraging you to join VSLs and start saving some of the money you receive so that you start the journey to economic independence,” Dyeratu said.

He said one of the strategic objectives of SP-GEAR project is to enhance resilience and livelihoods of women and girls from vulnerable households through economic empowerment hence the need for them to join VSLs.

Dyeratu said they are impressed with the positive response the SCTP beneficiaries have shown as they have so far managed to mobilize 109 SLGs against their target of 163 SLGs of SCT beneficiaries and the exercise is ongoing.

District Social Welfare Officer responsible for Social Cash Transfer Amos Chandilanga said the programme is designed to provide targeted support that not only enhances their economic status but also strengthens their resilience to crises, shocks and disasters.

Chandilanga said beneficiaries will therefore be trained in business management and other skills so that they can add value to the social cash transfer money they receive by joining VSLs so that they can multiply what they receive.

“The program is targeting 163 savings and loans groups across the district, that is 3493 beneficiary households,” Chandilanga said.

He said the formulated groups have been trained in SLG methodology, finance, literacy and group dynamics so that they can manage their groups.

“We are also trying to empower them socially so that they should be able to know the journey of life and community-based social protection workers have been trained in the journey of life so that they can train the community beneficiaries,” he said.

A SCT beneficiary from Sarafosi Village in the area of Traditional Authority Symon said she has joined VSL because of the numerous benefits she has witnessed in the lives of those involved and she would also like her life to be transformed.

The SP-Gear project is being implemented in Mzimba, Ntcheu, Balaka, Chikwawa, Mulanje, Mwanza, Neno, Nsanje and Zomba Districts with funding from the European Union (EU) and the Government of Ireland, in partnership with UNICEF.