A Swedish Technical Team has visited beneficiaries of various Social Protection Programmes being implemented by Government through the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services in Shibuyunji District.

The team interacted and appreciated the implementation of various social protection programmes, and listened to various success stories from various beneficiaries under the Girl´s Education and Women Empowerment and Livelihoods (GEWEL), Project, Keeping Girls in School (KGS) Supporting Women´s Livelihood (SWL) initiatives, and the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCT).

Leader of the delegation, Councillor for Social Protection and Good Governance at the Swedish Embassy ,Ms. Hillevi Ekberg, commended the Zambian Government for its commitment and progress made in improving the lives of vulnerable people.

Ms. Ekberg reaffirmed the Swedish Government´s support to Zambia towards effective Social Protection Service delivery.

“Zambia and Sweden have a long-standing relationship and its always a pleasure to partner with the Zambian Government and render help where we can,” she said.

Meanwhile, Shibuyunji District Commissioner, Mr Alfred Shaputu, informed the delegation that the district currently has a case load of 5, 880 beneficiaries under SCT, 701 under SWL and 1, 009 under KGS.

Mr. Shaputu said the implementation of the social protection programs has helped the community in the district to come out of abject poverty.

“People are now able to live dignified lives, it is our prayer that more of such programs find their way to the district,” Mr Shaputu said.

And speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Ms. Monde Songiso thanked Government and its partners for implementing programs as they were life-changing.

“Women are now able to do small business and feed their families, our children, especially girls are in school. We are so grateful,” she said.