KINGSTON, Jamaica — The picturesque Holland Bamboo corridor in St. Elizabeth, historically celebrated for its majestic canopy of interlocking bamboo trees, now displays extensive damage following Hurricane Melissa’s devastating passage. The catastrophic weather event has not only altered the landscape but also profoundly impacted local livelihoods, exemplified by Kemar Kennedy’s personal struggle.
Kennedy, who established a thriving vending business specializing in peanuts and jelly coconuts three years ago, recounts how the hurricane simultaneously demolished his commercial stall and inflicted substantial damage to his residential property. His entrepreneurial journey began in 2023 following personal tragedy and relocation, driven by a determination to transition from skilled construction work to self-employment.
“I possess various trades and culinary skills,” Kennedy explained to JIS News during a site visit last Friday, “but I ultimately decided to cease working for others and venture into independent enterprise.” His distinctive stall, famously painted in vibrant red, gold, and green, evolved into a beloved local landmark and popular social media backdrop for content creators.
The October 28 hurricane utterly destroyed this business establishment while causing flood-related damage to his home from river overflow. Kennedy noted the paradoxical fortune that despite the flooding, the house structure remained partially habitable with no roofing sheets lost to the powerful winds.
Currently operating from a makeshift setup, the vendor admits lacking motivation to restore his business to its former aesthetic glory. Nevertheless, persistent customer inquiries and difficulty locating his temporary stall have sparked growing encouragement to rebuild. This rejuvenated optimism coincides with nature’s own recovery—surviving bamboo specimens gradually arching back toward their original formation and new shoots emerging across the area.
“The bamboos are bending back; they simply need time to reconnect over the roadway,” Kennedy observed. “Some specimens weathered the storm, and we’re witnessing young bamboo sprouting extensively—where there’s life, there’s inherent promise.”
The entrepreneur identifies specific needs for his business resurrection: three plywood sheets for stall reconstruction and a compact refrigerator to resume selling chilled jelly coconuts. Beyond material requirements, Kennedy emphasizes the hurricane’s profound lessons in community solidarity and gratitude for survival.
“Everyone should appreciate the preservation of life,” he reflected. “We can rebuild from nothing if necessary, but ultimately unity sustains our community through adversity.”