By Manasse Nyirenda

Rumphi, November 12, Mana: Women in Rumphi have hailed Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) for transforming their livelihoods from abject poverty.

In an interview, one of the beneficiaries, Jane Makungu from Mlongoti Village in Rumphi, says she acquired cattle through SCTP, a Malawi Government initiative funded by the Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) and the World Bank.

Makungu, who receives K9,000 per month from the programme, joined Vision Village Savings and Loans (VSL) group in 2019.

This group provides her with access to funds for investment through share contributions. She receives her share of profits annually.

"In my first year with the group, in 2020, I received K50,000 in profits which I used to buy a mattress. In 2022, I invested the K100,000 I earned from the VSL in tobacco. I bought one bale of tobacco, which earned me K250,000," said Makungu.

In 2023, she deposited K250,000 as a partial payment for a cow priced at K400,000. She completed the payment earlier this year and the cow has since given birth to a calf.

At 68 years old, Makungu describes the SCTP as a lifeline enabling her to meet her household’s daily needs such as food through small-scale businesses funded by the programme.

She added that before she became a beneficiary she struggled with her husband who is an elderly man to provide for their family but the programme has made their lives easier as they are now able to provide for their daily needs.

Another beneficiary, Eunice Zgambo says the programme has given her a lifeline as she is able to take care of four children of her late sister.

Two children of her late sister have disabilities; one does not speak while the other one has a mental illness.

"The others are in college and I support them through this programme. One is studying law at University of Malawi while the other one is at Ekwendeni College of Nursing.

"I invest my money in farming. I grow tomatoes, vegetables and other crops which I harvest and sell to support my family," said Zgambo.

Desk Officer for the programme in Rumphi, Abel Ndlovu, notes that many beneficiaries in the district have used the programme to acquire assets such as livestock and to build decent homes.

SCTP is a Malawi Government programme under Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods (SSRLP) which is funded by the World Bank and Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF).