Basseterre, St. Kitts (SKNIS): Avonelle Butler, a single mother and beneficiary of the Poverty Alleviation Programme (PAP), is strongly encouraging persons who are benefiting from the cash transfer programme to use the funds wisely in the care of their household.
On the Wednesday (August 02, 2023) edition of the radio and television programme InFocus, Ms. Butler applauded the restructuring and streamlining of the PAP by the government in January 2023, which helped to identify and eliminate many unusual practices.
“People were out there getting three and five [payments] who are in the same house and they don’t need it so I think they need to leave it for someone, who is working minimum wage because I know a lot of people who use to get [the PAP] and they were working for more than that,” she said.
Ms. Butler spoke out against this practice, noting that there are many who are in need of assistance who may not benefit because of the dishonesty of others. She encouraged other beneficiaries to spend the cash in a responsible way.
“I use it [the money] to pay my bills and whatever is left back I use it to buy food for my son,” Ms. Butler indicated.
The single mother, who is currently unemployed, also thanked the staff of the Department of Social Development for their professionalism and assistance in helping her to access the PAP and other programmes that have been a lifeline.