Participants of the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP) in Nathyola Catchment in Mchinji are now reaping the benefits of financial empowerment by forming a village savings and loan (VSL) group.
Michael Zyalura, a community facilitator from Chamveka COMSIP Cluster under Traditional Authority (TA) Mlonyeni, said the transition to forming a VSL group was seamless after COMSIP’s recommendation.
“After working on the environmental projects under the CSEPWP, the participants were told of the importance of having savings and loan groups, which led to the formation of Tikondane and Chamveka COMSIP groups under Chamveka Cluster,” said Zyalura.
The chairperson of the Tikondane COMSIP group, Andsen Mvula, said that being in a COMSIP group has improved the lives of its members.
“From the savings, members have accumulated assets such as livestock and small stocks that are also helping them in terms of income and nutrition. Some are sending children to school and improving their dwelling houses,” said Mvula.
As a COMSIP group, Tikondane members have also ventured into bee-keeping.
Mercy Kayuni, COMSIP’s Development Communication Officer, praised the resilience demonstrated by the COMSIP groups. “We are very impressed to see that members are benefiting from their savings which is the core purpose of the livelihood programme,” said Kayuni.
By Vincent Khonje, MANA
