Climate-Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme participants in Mchinji District have said the safety-net initiative has saved them from hunger during the lean season.

They said this on Monday at Nathyola Catchment Area in Traditional Authority (T/A) Mlonyeni during a payment exercise.

From Nathyola, the payment exercise will proceed to the remaining 19 catchment areas in the district.

A participant, Cecilia Zulu from Tsamphale Village, said she was pleased to have finally received her wages.

A participant receiving his money

“We are now facing hunger, but with the money, I will buy maize,” said Zulu.

Another participant Francis Mwanza, from Chamveka Village said despite using the stipend for buying food, the technologies implemented under the programme will help farmers get good harvest.

“The feeling is good now that we have received the wages. I will support my family with some basic needs,” he said.

Mwanza, however, said there was need to consider revising upwards the K28 800 wages they get after working for 24 days.

Mchinji District Council chief accountant Fedderick Muyaba said he was impressed with the payment exercise.

“The exercise has started well as there are only few problems that are being encountered compared to last cycle where names were missing on the log and pay sheets. This time everything is going on smoothly,” he said.

On the request to increase wages, Muyaba said they will present the issue to central government.

Mchinji district commissioner Lucia Chidalengwa led council officials in witnessing the start of the payment exercise.

Climate-Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme is a component of Social Support for Resilient Livelihood Programme supported by the World Bank and Malawi Social Protection Multi-Donor Trust Fund

PHOTOGRAPH: VINCENT KHONJE

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