Nchelenge women in cash empowerment

—-The government, through the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health, has released close to K83, 000 to Nchelenge District in Luapula Province for women empowerment.

The money has been released under a Socially Responsive Micro Credit Scheme and will be administered by the Department of Community Development to reduce poverty among the womenfolk.

Nchelenge District Community Development Officer (DCMO), Georgina Ng’andu, in an interview with ZANIS today, said the funds will be used to give out loans to vulnerable but viable women.

Ms Ng’andu said the money will also be used to train viable women in entrepreneurial skills to enable them engage into meaningful and sustainable business ventures.

She said the money will be administered using social collateral as security where women in clusters of five can apply for the funds.

The DCMO disclosed that the money has already been remitted into the district account and her office is currently administering applications form to potential beneficiaries.

Ms Ng’andu indicated that upon a successful appraisal the women individually can get between K200 and K1, 000 and in case of default by any one of them, the other group members will be liable to pay off the debt.

She said the response was overwhelming and so far 200 application forms have been received for consideration.

Ms. Ng’andu said the government is keen to encourage women to embrace a culture of saving because it is an important factor in any business undertaking to effectively deal with poverty.