In the bustling heart of Vieux Fort, one determined street vendor is spearheading efforts to organize fellow sellers into a formal association, aiming to address long-standing concerns that have gone unheeded for years.Lucina St. Ville, a well-known face in the Vieux Fort vending community, has begun rallying support from her peers to establish a vendors’ association. According to St. Ville, the response so far has been overwhelmingly positive, with many vendors echoing the need for a collective voice.
“One of the biggest issues we face is the lack of a proper market facility,” she told Loop News. The existing provision market in the area, which has seen little use over the years, is now being repurposed into a venue for social and cultural events — a move St. Ville believes further sidelines vendors.
“We need a market in a visible, accessible location — not one tucked behind God’s back,” she remarked, expressing frustration at the ongoing marginalization of vendors’ needs. She believes that a properly located and maintained market is essential to the livelihoods of many families in the town.
St. Ville stressed that individual appeals to local authorities have often fallen on deaf ears. “Alone, our voices are too soft. But united, we can make them listen,” she said, highlighting the importance of organizing to increase their leverage in negotiations with decision-makers.
Beyond infrastructure, the proposed association would also offer a support system for its members. St. Ville envisions a dedicated fund that could provide assistance to vendors facing financial hardship, medical issues, or other personal crises.
She explained that the association would also be a platform for sharing information, such as new regulations, vendor rights, and training opportunities. “Many vendors are not aware of their rights or how to improve their business practices. An association can change that.”
Some vendors have already begun informal meetings to discuss bylaws, membership requirements, and leadership roles. St. Ville noted that the goal is not to create bureaucracy but to build a practical structure that empowers all members equally.
In addition to advocacy, St. Ville hopes the association can collaborate with local authorities and NGOs to enhance the vending environment. This could include sanitation improvements, access to water, and even marketing initiatives to attract more customers.
The initiative is still in its early stages, but St. Ville remains optimistic. “We’ve been surviving for years on our own — it’s time we thrive together,” she said, her voice firm with conviction.
While previous efforts to organize vendors in Vieux Fort have faltered, St. Ville believes the current conditions — and the unity she’s witnessed so far — may finally bring lasting change to a community long overdue for representation.