By Steve Chirombo

Dedza, October 7, Mana: Some beneficiaries of the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP), in Dedza district have hailed the intervention saying it has enabled them to move from poverty to better living conditions.

Speaking during a tour conducted to appreciate the progress of SCTP, beneficiaries in Chief Chilikumwendo said they have made strides since they started benefiting from the programme.

Edna Henderson from Mphizi Village said unlike in the past, her family can now breathe a sigh of relief as they can eat good food and that hunger is a thing of the past.

“From the money I received from the programme, I invested some through joining the Village Savings and Loans (VSL) group. With time, my money multiplied which saw us opening a grocery shop and venturing into the sale of farm produce mainly maize,” said Henderson.

She added that from the proceeds, her family has managed to purchase two pieces of land where they are doing their farming activities.

Another woman, Ida Moffat from Chimutu Village said the programme moved her family from a grass thatched house to a better house she constructed on top of having livestock.

“We have a cow, goats and local chickens. These are proceeds from the cash we received. My husband is a butcher man and all this is possible because we utilize the cash we received properly,” said Moffat.

Nyadei Julius, plying restaurant business at Kabwazi Trading Centre in the district said she started with tomato business and that she can support her children’s education.

“For example, when I put in K20,000 I would get K15,000 profit while during market days I can get up to K120,000 after investing K50,000. I can confidently say that I am better than before,” she said.

In his remarks, Emmanuel Khumba, Social Cash transfer officer at Dedza district Council who is also desk officer for the programme said several beneficiaries will be graduating from the initiative after achieving the intended purpose.

“The over-role objective of the programme is to get the vulnerable families out of poverty. We believe that by the end of four years, there will be a great change in their socioeconomic status. We thank the government through other initiatives that are being implemented by FARMSE and other partners who are championing the graduation models. We hope that by the end of 4 years, 1500 households will be officially assisted by government to get out of the programme,” he said.

19,555 household beneficiaries are on the Social Cash Transfer Programme in Dedza district.

The program is being implemented by the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) through the district council with funding from the Social Protection, Multi-Donor Trust Fund and the World Bank.