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Fifty-eight-year-old Wayne Lamey was most gracious after being given a $50,000 special entrepreneurship grant by the Social Development Commission (SDC).

Beaming with excitement and optimism, Lamey, who has been blind for the past six years, said the money could not have come at a better time.

"This will make my business grow a little larger so I can buy more goods and take the business a far way," said the May Pen-based Clarendon vendor.

Lamey was among 100 entrepreneurs from Kingston, Clarendon and St Catherine who got support for their small businesses in the form of the special entrepreneurship grants last Thursday. The 100 recipients included single mothers, persons living with disabilities, and individuals striving to overcome personal and financial challenges.

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Desmond McKenzie, said the programme has allowed hundreds of Jamaicans to become the masters of their own destiny.

"We, within Local Government and the SDC, can say that we have contributed to the reduction in unemployment because of programmes such as this, where thousands of young [and] middle-aged people, from small communities, have been able to join the band of many Jamaicans who have gained meaningful and long-lasting employment," the minister said.

Lamey told THE STAR that he has built his small business from the ground. He began his business with $2,000, which was a gift from his uncle. He bought four garden rakes and sold them, and then reinvested the money by purchasing six more.

Lamey slowly expanded his business, and began selling clothing and household items from his stall in the May Pen Market.

His stall was badly damaged during Hurricane Beryl last year, but Lamey, despite his disability never gave up. Rebuilding with ply board and persistence, he has firmly established Wayne's Clothing and Things.

"Today if you come to the shop and see what wi have, yuh wouldn't believe we started with four rakes. Sometimes me cyaah even believe," he said.