In an extraordinary display of community solidarity, Zewei Zheng, proprietor of San San Haberdashery in St Ann’s Bay, has redirected his entire $1 million winnings from NCB’s Business Boost initiative toward humanitarian relief for families affected by Hurricane Melissa. The October storm caused significant damage across sections of Jamaica, leaving many households in dire need of essential supplies.
Zheng, who secured second place in the promotional contest, demonstrated remarkable altruism by channeling the full prize amount into purchasing vital food items for distribution among storm-ravaged communities. When questioned about his motivation, the merchant responded in heartfelt Jamaican patois: ‘Time hard for everybody. Nuff hungry people around. We luckier than plenty. We help dem.’
This act of generosity aligns with Zheng’s established reputation as a community-focused business leader. Having resided in St Ann’s Bay for over a decade, he maintains a consistent pattern of supporting local educational institutions including Marcus Garvey Technical High School and Priory Primary School, particularly during seasonal celebrations and academic cycles.
The logistical execution of Zheng’s donation involved collaboration with the St Ann Municipal Corporation, facilitated through bilingual staff members who assisted with translation and coordination. The NCB Business Boost program itself offered total prizes of $3.5 million to merchants who conducted qualifying transactions exceeding $120,000 using NCB Visa Business Credit Cards.
Danielle Cameron-Duncan, Acting Senior Vice-President for Payments and Channels at NCB, praised Zheng’s decision as emblematic of the profound community commitment exhibited by Jamaican entrepreneurs. ‘Mr. Zheng’s gesture serves as a powerful testament to how business owners transcend commercial success to become pillars of community support during times of crisis,’ she remarked.
Cameron-Duncan further emphasized the broader socioeconomic impact of such actions, noting that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) constitute vital components of national resilience and local economic development. The initiative, while designed to reward card usage among commercial clients, ultimately revealed the deeply embedded philanthropic spirit within Jamaica’s business community.