Jealousy

Paya Bay has two different kitchen crews that rotate each week. They work from 6:30 am until 9:00 pm 7 days in a row and then get a week off. The 2 crews don't really get along that well. I like most of the people on both crews and try to be friends with all of them since they sometimes provide me with meals. I ran into a problem this week however with Madlin's crew. The other chef is Charles.

I have chosen to help out one family just a little bit. Many of the staff think that I'm some rich white guy and they ask for things all the time. This one family has never asked for anything. The girl that works in the kitchen is only 20 and has a 4 year son(Oliver). No one in the entire extended family speaks a word of English. I have someone translate on occasion buy mostly we don't talk. I bought a cheap foam pad for the boy to sleep on and some shoes. The other crew is trying to turn this into some big story. They are so jealous that they can't think straight.

I have given everyone rides in the truck before and I always invite them to sit inside if there is room. In this instance I gave the family a ride and most of them were able to fit into the truck. The jealous crew however said "they should ride in the back like cattle". I was shocked and couldn't believe my ears. I can't believe that these wonderful people could be so mean to each other. I'm very disappointed and a bit shaken by all this. It's such a small island and so many people live together that everyone knows everything. Unfortunately they rarely know the whole story so they fill in the blanks with their own ideas of life. Many have had such hard lives and had so many problems they think everyone is mean and unkind and out to get something. They think everyone is out to get them and take advantage of them. They don't trust each other or any of us Americans when it really gets down to the truth. All this seems to be very deeply rooted and won't change for a very long time.

I have another little boy that is only 15 that is supporting a large family. Apparently his father beats him and doesn't work. The kid has been unable to attend school but he speaks both English and Spanish. He works odd jobs around the resort and is very shy. I'm not sure how to help him and if it's worth while. Who knows what they will do if I help someone else. I'm very discouraged at this point about trying to help anyone.

Everyone has warned my about people taking advantage of me and I've tried to be very careful. I may just stop helping everyone all together though that seems so strange that I should have to do that.