Age: 25
Location: Stoneridge, Harare
Title: Registered Grocery Shop Owner

Alice Bongomwe’s story is one of resilience and transformation. At the young age of 25, Alice had already endured more challenges than most. Married at 17 and living in Stoneridge, a peri-urban settlement in Harare, she struggled to support her family. Alice sold tomatoes and other vegetables from Mbare to her community, but the meager profits barely sustained her household. Life was difficult, and Alice found herself living with her family on a church premise because they could not afford rent. Her firstborn child had to delay going to school because of their dire financial situation, which left Alice feeling hopeless and defeated.

Alice’s turning point came when she joined the Safe and Inclusive Cities Project, an initiative by Youth Ensemble in partnership with Plan International. Through the program, Alice received vocational training and business management skills. She also joined an Internal Savings and Lending (ISAL) group that gave her access to financial resources. Armed with this knowledge and support, Alice started her grocery shop, a small business that quickly grew under her determined leadership. Her newfound business acumen allowed her not only to expand her shop but also to purchase a stand and register her business, a monumental achievement for a young woman who once felt trapped in the cycle of poverty.

Today, Alice is a licensed entrepreneur running multiple businesses. She has built a home for her children, ensuring that they can attend school and have a better future. Her journey has inspired others in Stoneridge, proving that with the right tools and support, anyone can rise above adversity. Reflecting on her transformation, Alice says, “Before this project, my life had no direction. Selling vegetables barely helped us survive. But with the training I received, I gained the skills and confidence to start my own business. Now, I have hope and the power to change my life.”