Building Dreams: Mohamed’s Journey in Mogadishu
In the bustling heart of Mogadishu, against the backdrop of a once turbulent city, Mohamed Omar Hussein has found his steadfast path. Six months after venturing into the vibrant world of commerce with a men’s clothing store, he stands not just as a merchant, but as a beacon of stability and hope for his family. The transition from a mere dream to a reality that now cradles his family, including his mother and four siblings, marks a narrative of resilience and transformation.
Every day, Mohamed looks upon his thriving shop nestled within the iconic Bakara market. It’s one of the pulsating veins of economic life in the Somali capital. Here, amidst the clamor of bustling vendors and the colorful tapestry of garments, lies the heart of his enterprise. The store isn’t just a business; it’s a lifeline and a source of pride—delivering more than just fabric and fashion, but sustenance and education for his brothers. The shop yields a monthly profit ranging from $500 to $700, and with that, Mohamed guarantees three meals a day, takes care of the rent, and most importantly, can fund the schooling of his young brothers.
“Thank God, after a few months, the shop became successful,” Mohamed shares with a glint of well-deserved satisfaction. “I made enough money to bring my family from the countryside to Daynile district in Mogadishu. Now, I manage all our expenses through this business.”
Initially, Mohamed had different plans. The lure of migrating to the distant lands of Europe or the United States was once a powerful current in his life. With $8,000 at his disposal, this seemed feasible, but observing the grim tales of others who ventured into such uncertain journeys led to a pivotal epiphany.
“I saw many young people languishing in Libyan prisons and realized that if I ventured the same path and it didn’t work out, everything would be lost.” His voice trails off as he adds, “That’s why I chose to lay down roots here by starting a business and investing all I had.”
The $8,000 seed money, comprised of $7,000 from selling his mother’s modest plot in the Buloburde area of Hiran region and $1,000 from his past electrical repair endeavors, was put to strategic use. His experience in electrical repairs was valuable but financially falling short of providing stability.
“This shop covers all our monthly expenses and more,” Mohamed notes. “I earn more than I expected, and it has improved our living circumstances tremendously.”
Investing in his community rather than seeking refuge elsewhere opened new perspectives. Mohamed now takes pride in paying for his siblings’ education, with $85 allocated monthly for their high school fees. Was it luck, divine blessing, or sheer determination that led him here? Perhaps a combination of all three.
Through his experience, Mohamed has become an inadvertent advocate for localized investment over migration prompted by economic woes. “Migration is often seen as a solution to economic, social, and political problems, but I believe that solutions lie within our own borders,” he reflects thoughtfully. “Investing here can create a better life for many.”
Consequently, Mohamed now dedicates part of his time to advising other young people on the benefits of investing locally. He narrates stories of success, cautioning against the deceptive charm of foreign shores.
“The only way to reduce migration is to create a better life here. People shouldn’t feel the need to leave. We have the resources; we just need to invest in them,” he passionately advocates.
Mohamed’s journey exemplifies a narrative familiar yet profound—a story that intertwines personal ambition with communal upliftment. In nurturing his own dreams, Mohamed plants the seeds for a future where fewer young people feel the need to risk everything for uncertainty across distant seas.
His life’s tapestry is woven with ambition and hope, played out through the brick and mortar of his small shop in Mogadishu—a testament that dreams can indeed be homegrown.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring
