WHEN Stacia Bradshaw talks about her daughter and only child, she smiles with love and pride at the tremendous strides this young woman has made. At 20 years old Lil Stacy, as her mother refers to her for reasons of privacy, is employed by one of the city’s leading banks, where she has worked since the age of 18.

The recipient of passes in 12 CXC subjects, including the essential English language, Literature and Maths, while a student at St Joseph High School, Lil Stacy also successfully studied Business at Morgan’s Academy, known for its academic excellence.

Stacia, a single mother says of her daughter, “She’s a quiet, gentle young woman…she likes to sing a lot,” which to me means she is a happy soul.

However, for this market vendor whose business has grown over the years, since she began selling on Water Street 15 years ago, things have not always been easy. She recalls many days in those early years when she had to “fight just to get something to carry home to eat.” This was particularly so on the days when business was slow and she made just a few sales.

Vending literally from morning till night, Stacia had to make arrangements for her aunt to keep her young daughter as she grew up, because, as she put it, “I never wanted her on the market. “And her aunt, who has provided solid support through the years is of the ‘old school’, instilling discipline into the young girl.

With a wry smile, this hard-working mother says, “I had to set back my dreams to give her dreams.” However, she also gives credit to someone she met, who subsequently became her live-in partner and who helped her raise the fees to send her to Morgan’s Academy, which is privately run. He tragically died two years ago.

She also speaks highly of her loyal customers, who have not only supported her but given her financial assistance in a market environment where some of her fellow vendors are less than kind.
“Some of them tell you some real hurtful things…sometimes I would talk back and sometimes I would just hold my peace,” she says.

But with the prayers, monetary and other gifts from her customers, she has been able to prevail, even giving back to the community, sharing used clothing she received to persons in need.
“I never had any mean customers…I have loving customers,” she says, smiling at the thought.

And she freely admits that her business and personal life have benefitted from their help, as she would discuss her business plans and dreams for her daughter with them. ” They would help me with anything,” she says.
In fact she was ably assisted in her recent Christmas ‘toy drive’ by many of her customers, who gave her “a brace” (monetary help).

She is now planning to ask these very customers to join with her in an ‘Easter drive’, donating kites, which she then intends to share with children whose parents cannot afford to buy them. Her resolve to give back is no doubt the underlying reason for the help she gets, for, as the saying goes, ‘You have to give to receive.’

I say to Lil Stacy. “Keep it up” and to her mother, Stacia Bradshaw, “Your sacrifice and hard work have ‘paid off’…other single mothers out there should be inspired by your story.”