Sheryl Smith, a disgruntled resident of Allman Town, displays receipts for goods, bought with money borrowed from the bank, for sale during the ICC Cricket World Cup. She, like many vendors in the area, expresses anger about how they are being treated by the authorities regarding the upcoming event. -Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

Daraine Luton, Staff Reporter

Sabina Park's new North Stand can be seen from Sheryl Smith's Campbell Town home.

And should you stand on the top of her bathroom, Smith says you will see action in the park. Yet despite the relative closeness to the ground, this displaced Sabina Park vendor may not benefit from Jamaica's hosting of the event.

Like many residents of the Greater Allman Town area, made up of Allman Town proper, Campbell Town, Kingston Gardens and Woodford Park, Smith had her sights set on making some money from the Allman Town Culture Plaza. She showed The Gleaner a plastic bag of receipts detailing her investment for the tournament so far.

"Mi tek di people dem loan of $35,000 and Jamaica National give mi till May 13 fi pay it back," Smith bellowed.

Purchases

Among other things, she has purchased an igloo for $10,000, and a few crates of liquor and water, which she planned to sell from a stall. She has also purchased a refrigerator on hire purchase and was of the view that she could pay for it after the tournament.

"Mi nuh know but if mi caan get fi sell mi goods mi a go harass dem visitors," she said. "We endure everything fi di World Cup ... the dust, di noise, everything. And now mi caan get fi sell. A mad dem mad ... an mi have di people dem money fi pay back!"

Like Ms. Smith, Latoya has been making preparation for the Cricket World Cup. She said that she has so far spent $10,000 in preparation for cricket. "As mi get a money mi buy fish and put inna mi fridge ... and mi start buy up some lingerie already. Right now mi nuh know what mi a guh do."

- daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com