Meaning
'Every mikkle mek a mukkle' — every little bit adds up to a lot. Small amounts saved or gathered steadily grow into something large, so no contribution is too small to matter. The proverb is a homely encouragement to thrift and patience: put by a little at a time, do your small part faithfully, and in time it amounts to much. It is offered above all as wisdom about saving money penny by penny, but it applies to any effort built up from modest, steady beginnings.
Examples
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Put weh a likkle money each week; every mikkle mek a mukkle.
Put away a little money each week; every little bit adds up.
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Nuh badda seh it too small — every mikkle mek a mukkle.
Don't say it's too little — every little bit makes a lot.
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Wi save slow but sure, every mikkle mek a mukkle.
We save slowly but surely, every little bit counts.
Origin
An old saying, related to the Scots proverb 'many a mickle makes a muckle', where mickle and muckle mean a small and a large amount. It travelled to Jamaica through British settlement and took local form.
How it’s used
A favourite for teaching thrift and patience to children. Widely known across the Caribbean and beyond.