06/06/2026
Alice Masangu's Story: Refusing to Give Up
Sometimes life doesn't go according to plan. Alice Masangu knows this better than most.
Alice comes from Masawani Village in Traditional Authority Mpherembe, Mzimba District. She is the firstborn in a family of five children, a role that has come with both pride and responsibility.
Like many young people, Alice dreamed of going to university after completing secondary school. She worked hard and hoped her examination results would open that door. When they didn't, she tried again, believing that another chance might bring a different outcome. Unfortunately, it didn't.
For many people, that would have been the end of the story. For Alice, it was simply the beginning of a different journey.
Instead of sitting back and feeling sorry for herself, she followed something she genuinely loved: cooking. She enrolled in a catering and hospitality school, determined to build a future with the skills she had. She trained, gained experience, and started looking ahead with hope.
Then life dealt her another blow.
In 2018, Alice lost her father.
Everything changed overnight. As the eldest child, she suddenly found herself carrying responsibilities far beyond her years. Her mother was unemployed, her younger siblings still needed support, and the family depended on her more than ever.
With no choice but to be strong, Alice moved to Mzuzu in search of work. She found opportunities in the catering industry and worked tirelessly. Every month, she sent part of her earnings home to help her family while also saving whatever she could for her own future.
Years of hard work, sacrifice, and determination eventually paid off.
Alice managed to start her own restaurant at St. Augustine Market, near Mzuzu University and named it GRACE TASTY FOODS. It was a proud moment. The business attracted customers, generated income, and even created opportunities for other young women who were trying to build better lives for themselves.
Things were finally looking up.
Believing in the future of her business, Alice invested much of her savings into securing and improving the premises where she operated. She hoped the investment would help the restaurant grow even further.
But things did not go as planned.
Instead of expanding, the business began facing serious challenges. Sales dropped, operations became difficult to sustain, and much of the capital she had worked so hard to build was lost. What she thought would be a step forward became a setback.
Today, Alice is working hard to rebuild.
Despite everything she has been through, she has not given up. She still believes in her business. She still believes in her ability to support her family. And she still believes that better days are ahead.
That is why she is reaching out to well-wishers, organisations, friends, and members of the community for support. Whether through mentorship, business advice, partnerships, or material assistance, every helping hand can make a difference.
Some of the items that would help her revive and strengthen her restaurant include:
• A freezer
• Industrial cookers
• Food warmers
• Plates and utensils
• Tables and chairs
• Roofing grass and shelter materials
• Additional catering and restaurant equipment
Supporting Alice is about more than helping a restaurant. It is about helping a hardworking young woman who refused to give up when life became difficult. It is about supporting a family that depends on her. And it is about creating opportunities for other young women who are looking for a chance to earn a living with dignity.
Every contribution, no matter the size, brings Alice one step closer to rebuilding her dream.This version reads more like a feature story and creates an emotional connection with the reader while keeping the facts intact.
You can reach out to Alice or book a meal on: 0992376511/0881351873
Starting today, we'll be promoting her business until she's back to making sales. If you're able, you might consider sponsoring a meal for the students we've launched their fundraising campaign on this page.
