Been to Jamaica twice, most recently in January. We stay at all inclusives and gated resorts. The people that work there have always treated us well. In fact, our one server by the pool told us he was a Christian and he was an orphan, many orphans in Jamaica. He shared his life story and how he overcame many obstacles. Lot of Christians in Jamaica. He was very polite and got to know us as well. Our driver to Margaritaville also was a Christian and explained about the poverty and people in Jamaica and the orphans there. The one resort we stayed at was owned by two Christian brothers who pay their staff well (no tipping allowed) and they support the many orphanages in Jamaica.
when i am away on vacation I am not interested in listening to someone’s hard luck life story. How did this person casually mention he was an Christian orphan???
I am happy that you seemed to have a wonderful time, tho.
You sound like a nice person, which makes you vulnerable to these kinds of stories, because people can play on your good-heartedness. The only time I was stiffed for thousands of dollars in business was by a married couple of Christians who were leading a youth delegation to the White House and needed printed literature prepared by my business to take with them.
You may be 100% right about the individuals you mentioned. But it's clearly a risk to let your guard down outside your immediate circle.
DailyMail often runs stories of middle-class British expats who buy dream cottages near the beach in the British West Indies or Virgin Islands, only to be hacked to death with a machete by the pool boy or gardener who also works the sugar cane. Especially if there is as much poverty and deprivation as you say, there is also going to be great envy, where even a middle-class jobsworth's retirement income is far in excess of what the islanders could ever aspire to.
We went to an all inclusive in Jamaica a few years ago. Got hooked up with a group for a “takeover” meaning we had the entire resort. The staff was amazing and really liked this group.
The group asked us to put together a backpack full of school supplies for the children of the workers as well as a donation to pay for a year of High School for a scholarship winner. We happily complied.
I should explain that public school in Jamaica is only “free” through 8th grade.
At the end of the week there was a ceremony where the goods were distributed and the winner of the scholarship announced. As chance would have it enough money was raised to put not just one but 3 kids through 4 years of High School. So the 2nd and 3rd place kids also won. Many of the staff were in tears at the generosity. There were hugs and more expressions of thanks than we could count.
I won’t name the resort as many here would frown upon it I’m sure. But for Mrs. L and I it was the best vacation we ever had. We would go back in a heartbeat.
L