Three young Somali women beat all odds in the restaurant business. From street vendors to a superclass eatery owner in Somalia

A few years ago, these three Somali young women started their business journey in Mogadishu, Somalia, while enrolled part-time at the University of Somalia. These sisters were selling juice made from local fruits on the sidewalk of Maka Al-Mukarama 🥭🍉🍐🍋, but yesterday, they opened their first world-class and first modern restaurant/cafe in Mogadishu. Somali women keep defying the odds and proving the world wrong, If you are currently in Mogadishu, make sure you support them and stop by Saxarla Restaurant/Cafe.

Hafsa Iimaan was born and raised in Ba’adwayn Mudug Region, Somalia.  Born into a poor family, she grew up and studied under difficult circumstances.  She worked in the laundry to provide for her family and to study before she and her friends were selling juice made from local fruits on the sidewalk of Maka Al-Mukarama 🥭🍉🍐🍋. Then after a long struggle, she graduated from university in 2020.Her father died several years before her mother died in Jigjiga, a town in the Somali region of Ethiopia, she was left alone to take care of her siblings, as there was no one else to help the family, she took care of their schools, house life as well as rent, electricity and water. To cover Hafsa family’s bills, she has worked in a number of jobs including as a waiter, cook, shopkeeper and even a bartender before the Coronavirus outbreak in Somalia, she founded with her friends of two Somali young women Saharla Juice center and started their business journey in Mogadishu.

With Coronavirus now out of the country, Hafsa Iman and her sisters 👯‍♀️ planned to expand their business and add services to the market that they have found to be in high demand. they opened their first world-class and first modern restaurant/cafe in Mogadishu. Hafsa and her sisters have prepared a business plan. It was required $ 19,500 to implement the plan.  Since they have no sponsor, they chose to ask a bank for an investment loan for three years, but still they have not yet completed the loan payments. Hafsa Iman is a manager of the Saharla restaurant, I know for her ability and effort and I believe she will achieve her dream if supported and please believe in her dream and join as much as you can. Somali women keep defying the odds and proving the world wrong, If you are currently in Mogadishu, make sure you support them and stop by Saxarla Restaurant/Cafe.

By: Abdirahman Haile