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Malawi: Youths in Salima district have appreciated the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP) initiative of the government. They claimed that the programme has been playing a crucial role in the improvement of their livelihoods.
The youngster of the Salima District came forward in the media to share their delight and appreciation for the initiative. One of the participants noted that the programme is especially responsible for making her self-reliant.
She has worked for all the three cycles of the CSEPWP and the money she earned from the programme have helped her make enough for a side hustle. The participant shared that she joined a Village Savings Group while working under the programme.
Through the village savings group, she has managed to save enough money to start selling second hand clothes.
“Working under this programme has improved my life. Through the business I am able to buy myself basic items such as clothes as well as help my parents attain their needs,” Maulana said.
Another participant, Joseph Chituwire 27, from Chenkhumba Village in the area of Senior Chief Kambalame also appreciated the initiative. He claimed that he feels like a productive and responsible citizen after being enrolled into the programme.
He stated that he is now working towards restoring the environment through the governmemt approved projects they have undertaken. “We felt neglected for a long time because most programmes were centered on the elderly and children.”
He added that however this programme changed things as the youngsters have been considered. “Working for three cycles under this programme has assisted me to have a better outlook about social protection programmes,” he said.
Acting Youth Officer for the district, Samuel Chimwaza said unemployment was one of the biggest challenges of the district. In accordance with this, he appreciated the programme for incorporating the youth to earn an income.
He said 70 percent of the district’s population consists of the youth, noting that if a larger part of the population was staying idle, cases of theft and vandalism would be on the increase .
“Most of the youths after receiving their wages, they saved money and have invested in small scale businesses making themselves self-reliant and this has led them to become responsible citizens who are contributing to the development of the district,” he said.
Salima District Council is disbursing wages for cycle three of the programme in 16 catchments implementing different projects all working towards environmental restoration and management.
CS-EPWP is a component under the Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project (SSRLP).
The SSRLP is a government project funded by the Multi Donor Trust Fund facilitated by National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) in all the 28 district councils.