By Maston Kaiya

Ntcheu, March 28, Mana: Joseph Guza, the District Designated Officer of the Climate-Smart Enhanced Public Works (CS-EPWP) for Ntonda-Kapeni Catchment in Ntcheu district, says the World Bank-funded programme has enabled participants to become financially successful after venturing into various economic livelihoods.

Speaking to Malawi News Agency on Friday, Guza said, unlike before, where many beneficiaries were into illegal charcoal production businesses, which were not sustainable, participants are now able to buy fertilizers while others have goats, and some are in the agro-dealer business, all courtesy of the programme.

"The CS-EPWP seeks to address the adverse effects of climate change, as such participants are encouraged to invest in sustainable economic livelihoods such as irrigation farming, among others. 

"After working for 30 days, participants are encouraged to invest part of their wages in various economic activities to ensure that their sound financial base is improved," he said.

He adds that participants are establishing village forests where over 3 hectares have been restored, besides reclaiming hectares of degraded landscape through gully reclamation and reforestation. 

One of the participants, Thomas Noles of Chapalapata village, in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Phambala under the Ntonda-Kapeni Catchment area, said the coming in of the programme has turned his household fortunes.

Noles said before being enrolled in the programme, he was producing illegal charcoal, which left his seven-member family in poverty.

"Using K48,000 wage payment, I saved some money through the village loans and savings accounts and later used the same to invest in irrigation farming," he said.

Noles said three times a year, he cultivated different crop varieties like tomatoes and maize, which he sells to support the daily needs of his family, besides children's education.

Another participant, Gloria Peter of Nyambo village, in the area of TA Phambala under the same Catchment area, said the wages have enabled her to purchase goats and construct a decent house.

Peter, a single mother who lives with her two sons, said she invested in small-scale business besides village loans and savings in her area to increase the income.

"While I am supporting my family, my appeal to the authorities is to increase the wages owing to the high cost of living, which has been necessitated by the devaluation of the local currency," she said.

The National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) is implementing the CS-EPWP with funding from the World Bank and the Multi-Donor Trust Fund.