Manchester High makes space for vendors

Christopher Serju, Gleaner Writer

MANDEVILLE, Manchester: WHEN ADMINISTRATORS at Manchester High School made the decision some seven years ago to construct a proper perimeter wall, they took into consideration not only the improved safety of staff and students, but also the likely impact on vendors.

With the school compound secure, including a security guard at the entrance, some of the vendors are now selling inside the school compound under much-improved conditions.

The decision to build five adjoining self-contained stalls for rental to vendors meant that they would not be deprived of their livelihood, and with the services they offered now in-house, students would be less inclined to leave the compound to buy snacks. Having laid down the ground rules, which see the vendors selling 'dry goods', and not competing with the canteen operated by a concessionaire providing hot meals, vice-principal Joy Westcarr is satisfied with the way things have gone.

stipulated hours

"They (vendors) have to have their food handler's permits and we go in and check the place to make sure that is sanitary. They have set working hours, they can't sell all the time, only before school opens, during recess, lunch break, and after school," she shared. If a student needs something outside the stipulated hours, they will have to get a permission slip from one of two vice-principals and are not allowed to leave the compound during school hours.

Monica Nelson, who jumped at the opportunity to rent one of the stalls, has had a very exciting run, punctuated by some challenging economic times. The long annual summer holiday, midterm and public holidays all combine to cut into her work time. However, she looks forward to the start of the new school year every September.

"Right now is our slowest period because all the fifth-formers and sixth-formers are home because they are doing exams now. All sixth-formers gone home, fifth-formers only come when they have exams, and as soon as they finish exam, they leave. September now, everybody is here for at least the first three months, but when it come January now they might have little school functions and you have holidays and rainy season and that set you back," she told The Gleaner.

With each stall having its own electricity meter and a full-time staff of two young women, Nelson says the overheads are high, but is delighted that in addition to being her own boss, she is able to provide employment for others. She explained that a lot of hard work is involved in catering to the needs of students and teachers, but with her creativity she is able to satisfy their needs on an ongoing basis.

The Gleaner caught up with guidance counsellor and French teacher Althea Brown who was buying a chicken sandwich and who describes herself as a regular at Nelson's stall, drawn largely by the variety of the menu.

"I like Ms Nelson's shop because she tries to do a little different, I like her unique offerings - nice doughnuts glazed with chocolate, cheesecake and black forest cake and her workers are very pleasant. You get your meal and you feel positive about the whole experience. I'm a regular here. You can get things like ackee and salt-fish sandwich, sometimes a chicken sub, and I'm not supposed to have white bread, but they make it so enticing, I always shop with them," she confessed.

To meet the demands of her discerning and fickle client base, Nelson's staff is in place to provide for the 7 to 8 o'clock rush before school starts. Then they settle down to do prepare for the break at 10 a.m. and lunch-hour rush at 12:25 p.m. before catching the after-school sales at 3 p.m.

It is demanding work and has been a learning experience for Nelson, who must anticipate the needs of her customers and stay ahead of the competition. Staying ahead of the game is intellectually demanding as it is physically challenging.

christopher.serju@gleanerjm.com