From struggling as a street vendor to running a thriving shop

Zahra proudly stands behind her small shop, which is filled with a variety of household essentials. Her journey has not been easy. She has weathered many challenges that have helped shape her resilience. After fleeing drought and conflict in the Middle Shabelle Region, her family moved to Mogadishu in search of safety and new opportunities. Living in a cramped, one-bedroom house, she worked as a maid, earning barely enough to get by. Eventually, she realised that the city was too tough and moved to Elasha Biyaha, where life, though hard, offered a glimmer of hope.

"Life in Mogadishu was challenging," she reflects. "I worked as a maid, earning $60 a month, and did my best to provide for my family. Today, even living in an iron-sheet house, I feel secure and hopeful for my family's future."

A turning point arrives

For the past five years, Zahra ran a small street-vending business selling household staples, but the struggle often took its toll. Often unable to provide sufficient food for her children or repay debts, Zahra feared for their future. That changed one fateful morning when community leaders and staff from SOS Children’s Villages and the Aridlife Development Agency visited her shop, recognizing her potential and need for support.

In November 2025, Zahra received $1,000 worth of stock for her shop. This was not just a grant; it was a lifeline. With essential items like maize, beans, pasta, vegetable oil and detergents filling her shelves, the long and costly trips to Mogadishu became a thing of the past. With renewed confidence, she began focusing on growing her business and caring for her family.

"Before, I struggled every day. My shelves were half empty. I was in debt, and sometimes I had to choose between feeding my children or paying what I owed.”

“When SOS Children’s Villages and Aridlife Development Agency gave me $1,000 worth of stock, everything changed. I no longer needed to travel to Mogadishu or rely on credit.”

Zahra weighs green peas (salbuko) using a tin can in her small shop in Elasha Biyaha, Somalia

A brighter future for her children

With her shop fully stocked, Zahra's profits increased significantly; she shifted from earning $60 a month to $100 and $120 in recent months. This income allowed her to pay for her children’s education, buy nutritious food, and continually restock her shop to meet the demands of her growing customers.

“Being both mother and father to my children is a huge responsibility,” Zahra shares. “The assistance I received has empowered me to take on both roles effectively. It has given me joy and the confidence to keep pushing forward.”

Building a legacy

Zahra's ambitions go beyond her current achievements. She aims to expand her shop, include more products, and even buy a refrigerator to keep goods fresh. Thanks to the support she received, she believes her goals are within reach.

“My hope is to create not just a thriving shop but a stable life for my children,” Zahra says, her eyes shining with determination. “I want to help others in my community who are struggling just like I once was.”

Zahra serves a customer in her shop in Elasha Biyaha, Somalia

Cash grants to small businesses are a critical intervention in Somalia during times of crisis, bridging immediate humanitarian relief and longer-term economic recovery for vulnerable families.

Zahra is one of 40 small business owners who received food and non-food stock worth 1,000 US dollars during the first year of the project. This support enabled her to expand her business and improve her ability to provide for her family. By strengthening her livelihood, the assistance serves as an important step towards restoring income and enhancing household stability.

This progress has been made possible through the generous support of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and SOS Children’s Villages Norway. Their partnership is helping families rebuild their livelihoods and strengthen their resilience at a time when support is needed most.