By Manasse Nyirenda

When suffering knocked on Rodgers Msiska's door, to quote Nigeria's literally icon, Chinua Achebe, it settled in his house for many years as he struggled to feed his family till he became a beneficiary of Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP).

Many Malawians, both in rural areas and cities, share this sense of hopelessness, however, when their circumstances improve, the resulting smiles can be seen and felt from miles away.

A 2023 World Bank Malawi Poverty Outlook shows that the proportion of people living on less than $2.15 per day increased to 71.7 percent in 2023. This is expected to increase to 72 percent in 2024.

To this effect, the Government of Malawi in partnership with Multidonor Trust Fund (MDTF) through the World Bank are pooling resources together to cushion the ultra-poor in Malawi through SCTP.

Rodgers Msiska, 62, is one of at least 3,600 beneficiaries in Rumphi district who have been given a lifeline through the SCTP. He comes from Thenda village in the area of Traditional Authority Mwahenga.

After receiving the money, the beneficiaries are encouraged to join Village Savings and Loans (VSL) groups to grow their income and have access to loans which they may use to build more profitable and sustainable businesses and assets.

"I joined a VSL group and was able to access a loan with which I bought some goats. When they started multiplying, I sold some of them and bought fertilisers for my tobacco field.

“I made some money, though I cannot remember the exact amount. I replaced the grass roof of my house with iron sheets and the wooden window frames with steel frames. I also floored it with cement," Msiska says.

He further says 2024 has been the most profitable year since he started benefiting from the programme. He has made over MK3 million from this year’s tobacco sales.

His face brightens as he explains that he now owns a satellite television set and is able to watch several channels right in his village house.

"If you work for a television station or radio I will be able to watch my story on my home television. I also own a radio now. My life is no longer the same. I am able to take care of my wife, two sons and a grandson," he proudly says.

Msiska adds that he is now dreaming of owning a motorcycle because he is tired of walking and wants to use it for transportation around his town, Chivungulu.

His story isn't one of rags to riches, but more like that of a marathon runner finally being given shoes to give him a fair shot at winning the race. Now, with a solid capital base, he has the foundation to pursue his dreams.

Another Social Cash Transfer Programme beneficiary from Sub Traditional Authority Chisovya, Boniface Chirambo, says he was struggling to provide for his family before he got enrolled into the programme.

He says after completing his welding training he struggled to find clients because he did not have a welding machine. He adds that since he bought his own machine in instalments from the programme’s receipts, his welding business is doing well and he is able to meet most of his family's needs.

"I struggled to provide for my family. I struggled to find food and clothes for my children, but all that has changed. I am now able to take care of my family.

"I repair wheelbarrows, oxcarts, make hoes and many others. On a very good day I earn at least MK20, 000 while on a bad day I take home at least MK5000," explains the father of three daughters.

On her Part, Lucy Nyasulu, 31, from Madumura village in Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe said her family was trapped in deep poverty before being selected to be one of the SCTP beneficiaries.

"At the time I became a beneficiary, we were living in a shack and struggling to find food for our family. But once we got enrolled, we worked very hard to transform our lives for the better by venturing into farming using Social Cash Transfer money," she said.

She said she joined village loans and savings groups which made her earn interests on her savings which she later invested in farming.

She has since earned over MK5 million from tobacco farming and has built a house and also owns a hair salon business.

The mother of three is now focusing on growing more tobacco to earn more money and transform her home’s well-being.

District Social Welfare Officer for Rumphi, Zindaba Lungu, says the programme has brought relief from the burden of poverty in beneficiary households.

“Many beneficiaries have built decent houses, bought livestock and own thriving businesses which have helped lessen the burden of poverty in the communities,” Lungu says.