With the right support, opportunity can be transformed into lasting impact. That’s the hope of Iyoka Blair, a young entrepreneur from Old Harbour Bay, St. Catherine, whose journey reflects the transformative power of the Strengthening Access, Inclusion and Leadership for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SAIL-SRHR) project.
Iyoka is the owner of Taino’s Deli and Juice Bar, a growing business that now serves as a vital hub for her community. Offering a menu of cooked meals and a range of deli-style offerings, including burgers, wraps, and hot dogs, alongside smoothies, milkshakes, and natural juices, her establishment fills a critical gap in access to convenient, affordable food options in the area.
“I wanted to start this business because my dad used to do this business right here years ago, and my mom also used to run a restaurant. It inspired me because I grew up around it,” she proudly shared.
Iyoka’s story is one of resilience, inspiration, and strategic support. Through the SAIL-SRHR project, she received grant funding that enabled her to acquire essential equipment and initial stock, resources that would have otherwise been out of her reach. “This grant helped me to get the relevant appliances like a fridge, a stove, a deep fryer, and also to get the stock such as chicken, juice, water, and everything I needed to start the business,” she explained.
The impact has been immediate and far-reaching. Beyond creating a sustainable source of income for herself and her family, Iyoka’s business is contributing to the local economy and improving daily life for residents. “During lunchtime, people usually have to walk far or go outside of the community to get food. Now they can just come right here and get hot meals,” she said.
Her extended operating hours, from midday into the night, have further strengthened the business’s role in the community. Customers now have reliable access to meals, snacks, and beverages throughout the day, reinforcing the deli as both a convenience and a social space.
Importantly, the SAIL-SRHR project goes beyond financial support. It is designed to build the capacity of adolescents and young people, equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to turn ideas into viable enterprises. Iyoka is one of nine young entrepreneurs across Clarendon, Manchester, St. Thomas, St. Catherine, and Kingston and St. Andrew who have benefited from this initiative.
For Iyoka, the programme has been life-changing. “Without the SAIL project, I wouldn’t be able to start this business. It helped me to become more financially independent, and this business helps me take care of my son,” she said.
Andrea Campbell, Technical Programme Officer at the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities (CVC) and lead for the SAIL-SRHR project, emphasized the broader vision behind the initiative. “The SAIL-SRHR project is about more than entrepreneurship, it’s about empowerment. By investing in young people, especially those in underserved communities, we are creating pathways to economic independence while strengthening their ability to make informed decisions about their health and future,” she noted.
She added, “When young people like Iyoka are given the tools and resources to succeed, the benefits ripple beyond the individual to families, communities, and the wider society.”
Looking ahead, Iyoka is already thinking about expansion. “The SAIL programme has given me a good foundation to build on. I plan to use the profits to reinvest and build something bigger,” she said.
Iyoka’s journey stands as a powerful example of what is possible when targeted support meets determination. The SAIL-SRHR project is funded by Global Affairs Canada and is being implemented by CVC and the Jamaica Family Planning Association (JFPA).
