Hustling to Survive

In Jamaica, “hustling” is more than just a word—it is a way of life. It is not the kind of hustling that carries a negative connotation. Here, hustling is about resilience, resourcefulness, and doing whatever it takes to survive and provide for one’s family. It means rising before the sun to make ends meet, often with limited opportunities and an unshakeable sense of responsibility.

For many Jamaicans, the hustle is born out of necessity. It’s the reason people traverse the dumps, scavenging for bottles, copper wire, and discarded appliances—not for greed or gain, but to feed their children, send them to school, and support aging parents or siblings.

That broken refrigerator? It might have copper coils that can be sold. That heap of old plastic bottles? Someone will buy it by the pound. That pallet of discarded wood? It could be repurposed to reinforce a zinc fence or build a goat pen.

You will find others running small roadside shops stocked with food, cleaning supplies, and household items, often opened in the front room of their homes. Some rear pigs, goats, chickens, and even cows—not as a business empire but to barter, sell, or slaughter when school fees come due or illness strikes. They grow callaloo, yams, and sweet potatoes in their backyards. Some have even turned to beekeeping—an age-old tradition—harvesting honey to sell at market.

Take Miss Beverley* for example. A mother from Riverton, she wakes at 4:00 a.m., straps on a pair of worn boots, and makes her way to the dump. She’s not proud of it—but she’s not ashamed either. “Me haffi do what me haffi do,” she says. Her spirit—unbreakable. She collects bottles and scrap metal by the bagful, and from the little she earns each week, she manages to put food on the table and keep her daughter in school.

And her daughter is thriving. She is one of International Samaritan Jamaica’s scholars—a top academic performer and an active participant in the program. Bright, focused, and full of promise, she is making the most of every opportunity afforded to her. Whether it’s mentoring sessions, workshops, or volunteering alongside her peers, she shows up, not just for herself, but for her community.

Beverley’s hustle does not stop at the dump. She finds time each day to take her daughter to and from school, ensuring she gets there safely and on time. On top of that, she volunteers at the International Samaritan office, always ready to help however she can. She helps maintain the office garden—planting, watering, and weeding.

And it is not just about survival—it’s about dignity. About saying, “I won’t beg. I’ll work.” In communities where formal employment is scarce, hustling becomes innovation. It becomes pride. It becomes a culture of people who refuse to give up—even when the odds are stacked against them.

So yes, scavenging in the dump may be illegal here in Jamaica. But for some, they don’t view it as a choice, but as their only option. And behind each “hustler” is a story of love, sacrifice, and determination. It’s what keeps Jamaica moving, one hustle at a time.

*Since going to the dumpsite is illegal in Jamaica, Miss Beverley’s real name has been changed. 

International Samaritan is a Christ-centered organization built on Catholic Social Teaching. Our mission is to walk hand-in-hand with people who live and work in the garbage dumps of developing nations to help them break out of poverty.

We provide holistic scholarships for students from kindergarten through college, and we’re currently supporting 950 scholars in Central America, the Caribbean, and East Africa.

Would your church or school group like to partner and travel with us? Learn about our Learn, Serve, Grow program.

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Sonja M. Robinson, Program Director

Sonja holds a Ph.D. in Workforce Development and Education from Pennsylvania State University and a Master’s in Communication for Social and Behavior Change from the University of the West Indies. She has played the roles of counselor, mentor, trainer, and educator. Sonja believes in living a life of purpose and service.