People in Mangochi District have expressed satisfaction with the Social Cash Transfer Programme, saying it has transformed their lives.

They expressed the sentiment on Monday when the district’s social welfare office disbursed cash to beneficiaries.

In an interview, one of the beneficiaries Rose Chikago of M’balula Village in Traditional Authority (T/A) Chowe said she used the money to venture in small-scale businesses.

“My family was food-insecure because I could not raise money to buy farm inputs. But when I received the money, I saved it and later invested in small-scale businesses,” she said.

Chikago said she is now able to buy farm inputs, thereby harvesting enough maize for her family.

“I also started rearing goats and chickens to diversify my income sources,” she said.

A beneficiary feeds a goat in T/A Chowe, Mangochi District

Another beneficiary, Patuma Makandanje, from the same area, said she renovated her house using money from the programme.

“I also saved the money and bought a refrigerator which has enabled me to sell sweet beer, locally known as thobwa and frizzes and cold water,” she said.

Makandanje said she joined a village savings and loans group to save her money.

“It is better that way because I can get dividends after a year of saving,” she said.

Mangochi district principal social welfare officer responsible for the programme Patrick Cholopi also expressed satisfaction with the initiative’s impact.

“The programme is targeting 18 931 households, which represents 95 000 people. These people improved their livelihoods as others ventured in income generating activities,” he said.

Cholopi said the beneficiaries received money for April, May, June and July 2022.

The Social Cash Transfer Programme targets 10 percent of ultra-poor and labour-constrained families in the country.

The initiative seeks to enable vulnerable families get basic needs and help to pay school fund or fees for children.

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