Youth Hail Climate Program for Self-Reliance
The young people made the remarks on Monday at Bembe and Thazima after receiving their wages for working on various projects focused on restoring degraded land.
RUMPHI, Malawi- Youth in the area of Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe have hailed the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) for creating opportunities for them to be self-reliant, writes Manasse Nyirenda, MANA.
The young people made the remarks on Monday at Bembe and Thazima after receiving their wages for working on various projects focused on restoring degraded land.
"The introduction of the program has connected me to village savings and loans groups from which I can access loans to buy agriculture inputs such as fertilizers and grow enough food for my family," said Hope Luhanga of Vichimba Village under Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe.
Luhanga said many young people in the area have embraced the CS-EPWP and are using the earnings they realize through wages to break the poverty cycle in their homes.
Before joining the program, he survived on piece work to feed his family, which was hard for him.
Another beneficiary, Amos Mhone of Chikupizga Village in the same area, said the initiative has promoted restoration of degraded land for agricultural activities by making contour ridges and soil erosion protection grass among others.
“We have also observed a decline in numbers of youth who are involved in criminal activities as most of them participate in the program from which they get something for their livelihoods,” said Mhone.
CS-EPWP Desk Officer for Rumphi, Boyd Msowoya, is impressed with the achievements of the program, which he said has also promoted regeneration of natural trees, thereby increasing forest cover in the district.