Popular vendor eager to get her own vehicle - Taxi fare making life difficult financially

It is almost impossible to travel along Hope Boulevard near Hope Road in Mona, St Andrew, and not get a wave or smile from snack and newspaper vendor Rose Thomas.

The 66-year-old has been peddling her goods at that particular spot since 1986, and using the coins that she had saved from her small hustle, Thomas was able to purchase a Toyota LiteAce in 2009. But several years ago, thieves made off with the vehicle and scrapped if for the parts. Although she was disheartened, Thomas did not throw in the towel. She continued to save from the meagre profit she made selling juice and snacks, and in 2019 she purchased a 1991 Nissan Serena.

"I really needed a vehicle, because I live in Gordon Town and I have to carry goods back and forth," she said.

Unfortunately, Thomas said she did not get much use from the vehicle as a few months after she made the purchase, it developed mechanical problems. Currently, it costs her $1,400 daily for taxi fare, which is a huge portion of her daily sales. The senior citizen is therefore seeking the public's assistance with purchasing a new vehicle.

"Sometimes the mechanic dem will collect the money and say them do the work, but the next day yuh put it on the road and it back to square one. Is about three years now it not working, so right now I am just working for taxi fare. It cost me $1,400 to travel back and forth with the goods, and on a regular day I will sell, like, $5,000 or $6,000. So that's really the profit that pays the taxi fare," she said.

In addition to purchasing the vehicle, Thomas said she is passionate about her trade and the spot where she operates her small business, as it has paid for her four children to complete their secondary level of education, and also her own. She said she has a bachelor's degree in theology and Level 3 certification in practical nursing.

"Mi love what mi do; and people depending on me, because there are persons who could buy anywhere and if they come and I am not there, they are going to be disappointed. Mi a try my best to be there every day for them. Mi sell likkle newspaper as well, and yuh know people want dem daily Gleaner," she said.

Thomas stressed that she needs a vehicle, or at least a mechanic to fix the one she has.

"The vehicle was made in 1991, suh it probably do it time now. Sometimes I buy a part for it, and by the next day something else want to fix. So right now mi just really frustrated. So if anyone could help mi with a little vehicle, mi would appreciate it very much. I don't have anything particular in mind ... I just want something I can move round in," Thomas said.

Persons wishing to assist Rose Thomas may contact her at 876 323 0447.