By George Mponda
Karonga, March 20, Mana: Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) beneficiaries in Karonga have hailed the programme for reducing poverty and hunger in their homes, as well as helping them attain various assets.
Speaking in an interview on Monday, one of the beneficiaries of the programme, Awetu Zimba from Fashoni Village in the area of Senior Chief Kilipura, said since she was enrolled in 2018, hunger is no longer an issue in her home.
"I have been investing the money which I get from the programme into various businesses. As we speak, I have bought a cow, constructed a house, I pay school fees for my children and I am also taking care of my elderly mother," Zimba explained.
Zimba said that before joining the programme, life was difficult for her family, as she was living in a poorly constructed hut and poverty and hunger were leaving her children malnourished.
Another beneficiary, Clement Chiwatu from the area of Senior Chief Kilipura, said through SCTP, he has been fending for his five children and an orphan, as well as building a house with electricity connection.
On his part, Assistant Social Welfare Officer for Karonga District Council, Chrispin Chikakula, said SCTP beneficiaries are encouraged to join village savings and loans (VSL) groups where they make savings and are able to access soft loans for starting up small businesses.
"We currently have 7,480 beneficiaries in Karonga but we have plans to increase to 8,080. Transfer amounts vary by household size and number of school-aged children, and on average, K4,000 is given to a single person household per month.
"The programme has three main goals, which are to improve school enrollment, improve nutrition and improve household wealth. Through the programme, households have managed to buy assets and the human development of children has also improved," he said.
SCTP is government’s social support scheme targeting rural ultra-poor and labour-constrained households.
In Karonga, the World Bank is funding the programme with coordination from the National Local Government Finance Committee.
