By Yohane Taimu
Beneficiaries of the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP), locally known as Mtukula Pakhomo in Neno District, say the initiative is helping them support their relatives and elderly people in their communities.
Life took a difficult turn for Gogo Katema, a 57-year-old from Luwani Village under Group Village Head Ngwenyama in Traditional Authority Symon, after the death of her son, who had been expected to support her in old age.
He left behind children who are now under her care.
Taking on the responsibility of raising the six children has not been easy, especially given her age. Providing food and meeting their daily needs proved to be a constant struggle, pushing the family deeper into poverty as the children grew.
Relief came when one of her grandchildren, Sophia Katema, 22, was enrolled in the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP), locally known as Mtukula Pakhomo. The support has helped ease some of the family’s hardships
Her grandmother echoed the sentiment, saying she is indirectly benefiting through her grandchild and now lives more comfortably.
“With the coming of Mtukula Pakhomo, we elderly people feel that we are also being taken care of,” she said.
She added that when they received a larger amount of money, she advised Katema to go beyond buying food and invest in livestock.
“So we bought a goat. As you can see, they have multiplied—we now have three goats,” she said.
Another beneficiary, 68-year-old Kaphonya Kaside from Lumbe Village under Group Village Head Kalitera in the area of Traditional Authority Chekucheku, said he is now able to support his six children and their 82-year-old grandmother by providing food after receiving funds from the programme.
“I do not only rely on the funds I receive. Some of the money comes from profits I earn from livestock and crops, which I started after joining the Mtukula Pakhomo programme,” he said.
Principal Social Welfare Officer for the district, Amos Chandilanga, who is also responsible for the Social Cash Transfer Programme, said the district currently has 3,493 beneficiary households. He noted that the programme has positively improved livelihoods.
“I must emphasise that the SCTP is meant to reduce poverty, improve school enrolment, and reduce malnutrition,” said Chandilanga.
Among the beneficiaries, some have managed to build houses with iron-sheet roofs, buy livestock, and start small-scale businesses.
SCTP is implemented by the Malawi Government through the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, with support from development partners.
