BORDER, St Elizabeth/Westmoreland — A handful of vendors here have shown resilience as they try to return to their livelihood in the aftermath of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa.

The popular roadside eatery, known as Border, located on the St Elizabeth/Westmoreland boundary, was flattened during the passing of the storm on October 28, 2025.

Vendor Ivylyn Hutchinson, otherwise called Miss Ivy, was out early on Sunday to continue making a living even as she lost her house.

“It is very important right now, because we need to make a start on our own; we can’t just depend on the Government. We have the roadside and we love it and we do the fish and bammy at Border. We come together and try to build it back, little by little, until we can get full support. We have to make a start for ourselves so that others can come in and help us,” she said.

“Over in the community where I live at Fustic Grove there is no house there. I am asking for help, because I lost my house top. My brother lost his too. I lost all of my appliances, so I am begging for help. Is there anyone who is kind enough to assist me?” she asked.

“We need help, and we are depending on you kind people out there who can support us. Please help us, and God will bless you and bless Jamaica more,” she said.

Her brother, Rylan Hutchinson, made a similar appeal in emphasising the need for water and clothing.

“We lost everything in Fustic Grove, if someone finds themselves with two shirts and they can offer one to a person, offer it, if it is water and you can give one you give it, because we don’t have no water,” he said.

Rory Davy, another vendor at Border and resident of Fustic Grove, also reported damage to her house.

“For me, it’s just my windows and roof got damaged. We just want some help to start back so that we can maintain ourselves,” she said.

Physlliseta Falconer, a visitor from overseas, said she was willing to pay double for the items sold at Border just to support the vendors.

“I born and grew up in Aberdeen. I saw on the news where the hurricane came and destroyed the place, but seeing it now, it hurts,” she said.

“They need support. If they even charge me double the price I will pay for it, because they need it. I come here every year,” she added.

Falconer said she was in St Elizabeth to support her friend Nadia Smith whose mother lost her house in Crawford district near Black River.

Vendors at Border have returned to their livelihood on the St Elizabeth/ Westmoreland boundary. (Photos: Naphtali Junior)

Border vendor Ivylyn Hutchinson otherwise called “Miss Ivy” (right)preparing to fry fish on the St Elizabeth/ Westmoreland border on Sunday while her colleague Rory Davy displays bammies for sale.