People of Mchinji have applauded the social cash transfer programme (SCTP) which government is implementing, saying it is improving their lives.
Speaking during the visit to the district by Social and Community Affairs Committee of Parliament on Friday, one of the beneficiaries, Patrick Chikopa, from Kapatuka Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Mkanda said his life has improved because of the programme.
He said: “I have been swimming in poverty for a long time to the extent of failing to provide basic necessities to my family. But since government shortlisted me as one of the SCTP beneficiaries, my life has improved.”
He said money from the programme has enabled him to buy a bicycle which he uses for various business transactions. He said he also purchases farm inputs.
In an interview, chairperson of the Social and Community Affairs Parliamentary Committee, Richard Chimwendo Banda, said the programme will eradicate poverty.
“The main objective of the SCTP is to reduce poverty and hunger and to increase school enrolment rate. As a committee, we are impressed with its impact,” he said.
SCTP targets the ultra-poor by giving each beneficiary K7 000 per month. Beneficiary households that have school-going children receive a bonus of K1 000 per child (primary) and K1 500 (secondary.)
The programme is being implemented in other 17 districts. n
