Stories
February 18, 2025 • 2 min read
With funding from USAID, GOAL is implementing the UPLIFT/Simudza project to support urban communities in Zimbabwe through an integrated business and protection support approach. The project improves community well-being by reducing risks for vulnerable households and addressing the harmful coping mechanisms often used during stress and instability. For businesswomen like Priscilla Hapazari, the UPLIFT/Simudza has provided her with the support and resources to build economic security.
Life in Urban Zimbabwe
In Stoneridge, a densely populated informal settlement just outside Harare, Zimbabwe, Priscilla Hapazari’s days were a battle against the odds. As a 28-year-old single mother, she struggled to make ends meet, selling eggs and vegetables from a makeshift stall. Her income rarely exceeded a few dollars a day, leaving her unable to afford essential services like healthcare or a proper education for her child.
“I felt trapped,” Priscilla recalled. “No matter how hard I worked, I could never get ahead. It was a constant worry, not knowing if I could provide for my child tomorrow.” Priscilla shared. UPLIFT/Simudza, a USAID project implemented by GOAL, was launched at a pivotal moment. The initiative, designed to strengthen resilience in urban communities through an innovative approach, marked the beginning of an extraordinary transformation for Priscilla.
A Turning Point
Priscilla’s first encounter with the project was through an outreach session in her community. She learned about the support available to small business owners like herself, including cash grants and market service opportunities aimed at helping entrepreneurs rebuild and grow their businesses. For Priscilla, the chance to participate felt like a lifeline.
With the grant she received, Priscilla remodeled her modest stall into a well-organised shop. She diversified her inventory, adding consumer goods that the local community needed. Slowly but surely, her efforts began to pay off. Over time, Priscilla’s daily earnings increased dramatically. What was once a meager profit of $20 (approximately €18.38) a month grew to over $150 (approximately € 137.84), which allowed her to provide better opportunities for her family. Priscilla’s progress is one of many that have emerged from the UPLIFT/Simudza project. In Stoneridge and beyond, 2,500 individuals have been assisted through the project’s Economic Recovery and Markets Services branch, helping families escape cycles of poverty and vulnerability.
Building Resilience Beyond Business
While the economic transformation of individuals like Priscilla has been remarkable, the UPLIFT/Simudza project’s impact goes deeper, addressing critical social issues that affect urban households. A significant component of the initiative focuses on protection services aimed at combating gender-based violence (GBV) and enhancing child protection. To tackle these issues, the project employs a comprehensive approach that includes prevention strategies, social behaviour change initiatives, and responsive support systems. A key feature of these efforts is the Mobile Booth service, a free hotline providing immediate psychological support to those in need. The UPLIFT/Simudza project has reached over 15,000 individuals in communities like Mbare, Hopley, and Stoneridge through this service and other targeted interventions, offering them access to vital GBV and child protection services.
