By Innocent Chamtulo

Mulanje, May 23, Mana: The Social Cash Transfer Programme in Mulanje, now delivered through electronic payments, is benefiting 17,000 households, transforming many from low-income status to improved livelihoods through small business ventures and progress toward sustainable self-reliance.

Information Officer at Mulanje Council, Alex Chitwere disclosed this on Thursday during a media tour of households in the district currently enrolled in the SCTP also known as Mtukula Pakhomo,

He said the programme was meant to help beneficiaries transitioning from low-income to another level, adding that this was the whole essence of introducing the programme.

“The Social Cash Transfer Programme in the district is progressing very well. For the first time beneficiaries are receiving cash through electronic payment system, which also benefited the council by reducing the pressure of mobilizing resources for disbursing cash to beneficiaries across the district,” he added.

One of the beneficiaries, Ndifelanji Chideya from Group Village Head Kalilima, Traditional Authority Nkanda, said the programme has transformed her household, enabling her to afford most basic needs since her enrollment in 2024.

“Before joining Mtukula Pakhomo, life was very difficult for us as we could not make ends meet. We lacked the capacity to produce enough for our family and lived a miserable life.

“After being enrolled in the programme, we have seen some improvement in our livelihoods. With the support, I ventured into a small business and also engage in animal farming, which has enabled me to meet my family’s daily needs,” she explained.

Another beneficiary from the same area, Regina Matchipisa hailed government for introducing the e-payment system, saying beneficiaries used to wait too long to receive cash when cash disbursement was previously manual.

“With the e-payment, we are now able to withdraw our money whenever we feel the need to do so. Previously, we had to walk long distances to receive cash and it was very difficult to plan and budget properly on how to use the cash,” she added.

Edina Tebulo from Mkhito Village, Traditional Authority Nkanda said she used to struggle to support her children in secondary schools, who are in Form 2 and Form 3, adding that her enrolment into SCTP changed things for the better than before.

“We used to find piece works to support our children’s education. Mtukula Pakhomo has relieved me from the hustle of piece works,” she added.

The SCTP in Malawi is government social protection scheme supported by Multi-Donor Trust Fund aimed at reducing poverty and improving livelihoods of the most vulnerable households.