By Wongani Mkandawire

Nkhotakota, November 11, Mana: Communities in Nkhotakota district have hailed the Social Cash Transfer Program (SCTP) for improving the livelihoods of elderly and child-headed households in the district in order for them to manage a decent and safe life.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Sunday, Mervis Chimangeni, from Kapiri cluster in traditional Authority Nkhanga in the district, said her living surroundings have improved since she was able to buy iron sheets to roof her house and secure her windows to sleep in a safe space.

‘I used to dwell in an almost incomplete house. To imagine that I have now roofed the house is a testimony I will live to tell, thanks and praises to the Ntukula Pakhomo savings,’ says Chimangeni.

She said when she joined the program she managed to start a small business selling free-range local chicken and joined a village savings and loan group which saw her being assisted in buying the necessary tools to roof and secure her house over time while still rearing free-range local chicken.

Another beneficiary, Thoko Kumbanga a sole breadwinner from Mkaika cluster Traditional Authority Kalimanjira in the district says she is now able to support her siblings who are aged 7 and 8 through school as she does small business to keep life going.

“As soon as my sisters are in school, I spend the day at the market selling fizzy drinks, eggs, and water to sustain our home as our mother passed away in 2021,” explains Kumbanga.

McDonald Mpichi, District Social Welfare Officer for Nkhotakota says his office is delighted to note that the program is benefiting the vulnerable groups and that it is benefitting and transforming their lives for the better.

The World Bank and multi-donor-funded resilience program target 10 percent of ultra-poor households in all districts of the country giving each beneficiary household an average of Mk14,000 per month through the E-payment system.