Sean Sutherland’s journey from ‘nothing to something’
IN every nook and cranny of Jamaica there is at least one familiar face who has become an integral part of a community, but some of us don’t even know their name. In fact, some of their stories remain untold.
Whether it be the man selling fruits in the early morning, a newspaper vendor at an intersection, or the vendor who provides us with a quick sweet treat while in traffic, commuters have grown accustomed to seeing these people almost daily.
In our new Jamaica Observer series called Familiar Faces the Sunday Observer
highlights and shares the stories of these individuals who have become constants in our lives, if even just in passing.
To kick off the series, meet Sean Sutherland, a vendor who — for more than 16 years — has been stationed close to the railway just outside Food For the Poor’s main office on the Spanish Town Bypass in St Catherine. He said him operating a stall at the location has led to many accomplishments.
“A this make mi married. This put food pon mi basket; it make mi buy all car, this likkle stall that you see right here so,” said Sutherland.
Check out these five things about this familiar face and scan the QR code for our video chat with him.
Sutherland is a family man and father of five, with three sons and two daughters.
In April 2021 he became a married man, tying the knot with his wife Shantel who currently resides overseas.
A devoted Christian, Sutherland shared that he made a promise to God in 2022 to surrender his life to Him if He healed his wife who was, at the time, experiencing post-partum depression. His prayers were answered and to this day Sutherland continues to trust in God, adamant that he will serve the Lord until the day he dies.
When he first set up shop at a section of the Spanish Town Bypass in 2008, he started by selling phone cards and fruits to commuters. His business grew, and he now offers beverages, snacks, car accessories, and car-cleaning supplies.
A lover of football, Sutherland says he is a diehard Argentina supporter who will never switch sides. His favourite football player is Lionel Messi.
