A Social Cash Transfer (SCT) beneficiary under the female-headed household category has hailed government, through the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, for positively impacting the lives of many vulnerable citizens across the country.

44-year-old Winfridah Tembo of Mphuzuzu Village in Eastern Province expressed her gratitude during a Government of the Republic of Zambia-United Nations Joint Programme on Social Protection in Zambia (GRZ-UNJPSP) field visit conducted to monitor the impact of the SCT programme.

She shared a testimony about how the government’s support has transformed her life and that of her family.

Ms. Tembo, a widow and mother of five, explained that despite the loss of her husband, she has remained determined to raise her children with dignity and resilience, decribing the money she receives as a vital lifeline, enabling her to provide for her household’s basic needs.

“With the support I receive, I’m now able to buy food, take my children to school, and even invest in small income-generating activities like gardening and selling farm produce,” she said.

She further highlighted the impact of the Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT), an additional government initiative designed to cushion vulnerable households against economic shocks such as droughts and pandemics.

Ms. Tembo noted that the ECT funds she received were instrumental in expanding her farming activities and diversifying her sources of income.

Ms. Tembo commended the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services for its commitment to uplifting the lives of the poor and vulnerable, and believes that with continued support, more households like hers will be able to break the cycle of poverty and achieve sustainable livelihoods