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ocial Cash Transfer Programme beneficiaries in Traditional Authority (T/A)  Chakhaza in Dowa District say the money they received will save them from hunger during the lean season.

They said this on Friday when authorities disbursed allocations for January, February and March to beneficiaries to enable them buy food.

Speaking in an interview after receiving her money at T/A Chakhaza headquarters, Beatrice Yesaya from Phwazi Village in the area said the lean season was one of the critical periods for poor people because of shortage of food.

She said: “These months are difficult because it becomes hard for poor people to source food. Sometimes we eat once a day or go days without food.

“That is why we thank government for the money because I will buy food for my family.”

A beneficiary smiles after receiving his money

Yesaya said she plans to invest part of the money in her fritters (zitumbuwa) business as one way of growing the money and preparing for the lean period next year.

Another beneficiary, Fundudwa Sinsamala from Chakhaza Village in the area, said he became a beneficiary in 2018 and uses the money to buy food during lean seasons.

He, however, asked for an increase in the monthly allocations as the cost of living has risen.

Dowa district acting director of planning and development Yusuf Laki said the programme seeks to cushion the ultra-poor from the adverse effects of poverty.

He said the local council expedited the disbursement of the funds to enable people access the money in time to buy food.

Said Laki: “There has been a three-month top-up for January to March for the programme’s beneficiaries to buy food during the lean season.

“This process has been fast because we wanted to make sure that the targeted group should get this money at the right time when they need the money most.”

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