Westmoreland vendor bringing smiles at Champs - Makes lengthy journey to track and field spectacle for past five years

For the past five years, Tafa, a determined vendor from Westmoreland, has travelled nearly 200 kilometres to Kingston, setting up her tent just outside the National Stadium.

Her goal is always to take part in Jamaica's biggest high-school sporting event, the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships, affectionately known as 'Champs'. Driven by passion, perseverance, and a love for both sport and community, she transforms her roadside stall into a one-stop hub for food, fan gear, and festive energy, capturing the true spirit of the island's most anticipated annual celebration. Champs is Jamaica's premier high-school track and field event, but it's much more than a sporting competition. It's a cultural celebration that unites students, alumni, and families from across the island. The stadium transforms into a festival of noise, colour, and pride, where school rivalries come alive and the spirit of youth shines bright.

While many vendors stick to a single niche, selling horns, flags, or umbrellas, Tafa has carved out a unique space by offering both essentials and indulgences. Her menu includes hot dogs, egg sandwiches loaded with cheese and lettuce, and hearty breakfast options. Alongside the food, she sells horns and handkerchiefs, ensuring Champs-goers are well fed and well equipped to cheer on their schools.

"When mi just start, a did just water and juice and bubble gum," Tafa recalled, her voice brimming with pride and nostalgia. Today, her signature hot dogs are a crowd favourite, enjoyed by both children and adults. Her steady growth reflects not just business acumen but a deep commitment to her customers and her craft. Beyond her food and merchandise, Tafa's personality and style also leave an impression. Clad in a bright purple hat - the colour of Kingston College (KC), the most successful boys' school, Tafa laughed as she remembered buying the last two hats left in the store.

"Mi a seh 'Lawd Jesus, mi hope, when di other school dem see mi inna this, dem nuh badda wah buy.' But dem support me same way," she told THE WEEKEND STAR. Her playful banter underscores the friendly rivalries that fuel Champs' festive energy. Outside of Champs, Tafa is a professional hairdresser.

"Mi do hair fi a living, but now a sports time. Mi will go different sports day and sell pon the side," she explained. Her ability to shift between professions highlights her resilience and versatility. The journey from Westmoreland to Kingston is no small feat.

"Every Champs time, mi drive come up from Westmoreland and sell and go back home," she said. The trip costs her roughly $4,700 for transportation alone, not including the meals she either packs or buys to support fellow vendors.

"Everybody affi eat, but mi nah nyam out mi profit," she added with a knowing smile. During Champs week, she stays with her sister in Kingston, making the hustle more manageable.

A proud mother of two, Tafa's success is measured not just in dollars but in growth and perseverance.

"When mi just start, mi never sell much, but mi proud a miself fi see say mi a take mi time and expand," she reflected. Her 18-year-old daughter is excelling in high school, and Tafa's hope for the future is bright.

"By the grace of God, I will make more than mi earn last year."