By: Brighton Chimsinde

Mchinji, October 30, Mana: Some elderly people and persons with disabilities, who are among the vulnerable group, have described digital finance services as a rescue for their lives.

Random interviews in Mchinji District, through the ongoing digital finance services (DFS) awareness campaign, led by the Ministry of Finance in conjunction with the Reserve Bank of Malawi have revealed.

One of the elderly persons, Jefita Jason, a mechanic at Kapiri Trading Centre, in the district, said he prefers using digital finance services, considering his age and physical fitness.

“To tell the truth, digital money has come to rescue our lives. At my age, I cannot manage to struggle with thugs hence carrying or keeping a lot of cash is life risking. Thieves can easily rob me of the millions and displaying resistance they can kill me or leave me with injuries,” Jason said.

In her comment Juliet Brandson, a physically challenged person at Nyoka Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Nyoka in the district says she prefers the digital money services because it is safe and convenient.

“I have no problem with digital money and I prefer it because it is safe, convenient and easy. It also gives me the liberty to do almost everything on my phone like buying talk-time, paying various products, receiving money and among others,” Brandson said.

Team leader for the Mchinji DFS awareness campaign, Joshua Kunkumbira, said it was encouraging seeing the elderly and people with disabilities testifying about the multiple benefits of digital money.

“It is a source of encouragement and pride for us, that members of groups that were previously considered vulnerable are now sharing their testimonies regarding the significance of digital finance services,” Kunkumbira said.

Mchinji is currently conducting a 20 day DFS awareness campaign.