One Love Bus

[DConkle]

Forgive me if I am off base.. I saw a thread that seemed as though Lenbert was some how going to “make money”. And that may somehow be a bad thing. My perception of this board is most are not from Jamaica. That said,who among us doesn’t want to make money and provide for our children and family. I have been on his tours numerous times and have the best time. The only thing I will say is I wasn’t expecting to go to shanty town. My husband and felt bad because we weren’t prepared to contribute to the moms and children in great numbers pleading for what ever we could give to them. I guess this is to say if you go on the tour be prepared to see a community that is in desperate need,as well as all the fun stuff too. After all this world is diverse. ❤️

[saeyedoc]

Found it: https://negril.com/forum/showthread....t=swiss+family
Here's what I wrote at the time: We were on the same trip that Booger jumped on. I'll try to tell the story edited enough so it won't get deleted.
I had booked the bus for my wife and I and our two girls, ages 18 and 22.
The bus pulled up and Lembert got out, took one look at us and said, are you sure it's ok, I've got a bunch of people from Hedo on there. I said, they are both over 18, it should be ok, without really thinking it through.
The bus was totally packed, but they made some room for us near the front. We were seated near another couple, who as it turned out, were the only other ones not from Hedo.
The Hedo folks were already pretty lit, but not doing anything real inappropriate, at least not then. Mostly an older crowd, very friendly.
We got to the first stop and had a drink. I chatted with Lembert who told me some sketchy stuff that was going on before we got on.
Second stop, some of the women started taking their tops off and taking pictures.
A stop later, while we were getting back on the bus, my wife noticed some folks that were already on the bus were engaged in some activities that should have remained at Hedo.
Once this started going on, Lembert was very apologetic and made sure we sat up front where we could avoid seeing things that couldn't be unseen.
We considered getting off the bus at that point, but the other couple begged us to not leave us alone with them.
We ran into Booger and his gang at Seastar and a few of them joined us to go to another bar for sunset. We realized we knew each other from this website.
We then decided to get dropped off at DeBar for dinner and as it turned out, Booger and a few others ended up there as well and we all had dinner together. Funny how things tend to turn out in Negril.
I had some contact with the other couple through Tripadvisor and she told me it got "way worse" after we left.
Lembert figured out that it was a bad idea to mix the lifestyle folks with us regular people, so I doubt this experience would happen again.
What a crazy evening!

[MikeyNYC]

Found it: https://negril.com/forum/showthread....t=swiss+family

haha. wow!

[DConkle]

Never got on the one love tour with a hedo group,probably would have hopped of if things got too crazy! Really do love all the stops though. One of my favorites is Bella Donna’s. I love her yard for some reason. There are always puppies and kittens. All of which I want to take home.We have a friend we go with, and she always sings for him. It’s just a really fun,no worries time for me personally. As I think about it my absolute favorite place is a tiny little rustic bar on the beach where it’s kind of rocky. I need to ask what it’s called in the next few weeks we are there.

[JAHtonyMTL]

My husband and I just returned from Negril. We did the One Love Bus for which was probably about our 6th or 7th time. This time we stopped at Lenbert's private home, where he has built a bar on his property. I believe it is for the One Love Bus only and not open to the locals. The entire 2 buses that stopped there ordered his wife's special rum punch at $5.00 a drink... Wondering where the proceeds go?

I`m just going to quote the most specific part of your useless original post for being so misguided by your thoughts...
``Where he has BUILT a bar on his property``

I see no wrong in this, and in fact good on him. He has Built from the ground up an establishment. That takes dedication, perseverance and great drive! It costs time, money and effort as well to do this. Remember this man also built up the one love bus, and as an example of what OTHER COMPANIES charge for a couple of hours driving around (starting prices around 200$US and you can negotiate down)... This man doesn`t ask for a base fee and negotiate and haggle around with you, but yet says i will pick you up, bring you around, and drive you back all they ask is a tip, which is at each persons own discretion as to tip, this is a really nice and great business model to begin with which has no use for trying to be bashed by somebody who might get jealous that somebody is growing and establishing himself in different sectors.

My friend that i met working on a resort, said his plan was to build his own cottages on his place so when friends visit, they have another option to stay, and i say YES DO IT because i know how this guy is and will offer me anything and everything to make me happy and my trip a great experience.

Nobody is restricted and the sky is the limit, keep pursuing your dreams and continuing to offer such great service! And i do I believe its called the `One love bus` for a purpose and not just coincidence.

[DConkle]

I wonder what people must be thinking when they ask such questions,considering they have been numerous times and seen the struggles of the Jamaican people. I am happy for Lenbert and his family! Don’t most of us want better for our families?

[LivinInThe603]

Wondering where the proceeds go?

why?

[saeyedoc]

Is "bringing them some business" really what he's doing? Handouts aren't business in my opinion, it's charity, and misdirected at that.

[Accompong]

Is "bringing them some business" really what he's doing? Handouts aren't business in my opinion, it's charity, and misdirected at that.

Your

bringing them some business

from gregandkelly63's post was them obviously referring to bringing business to out of the way places that do not normally benefit from tourism. Nobody I know thinks that charity is a business except those that do charity for a living which Lenbert does not do. If you know Lenbert, you would know he gives a lot to the poor in his community and that (I believe) is not misdirected at that.

[gregandkelly63]

Is "bringing them some business" really what he's doing? Handouts aren't business in my opinion, it's charity, and misdirected at that.

Every time we go to Shanty Town on the Pub crawl there is someone selling beer and my wife I always buy some. (as do others) So, yes, he is bringing them business. I have been in Shanty Town at other times other than when the Pub Crawl is not there and guess what? Those same "bars" aren't open. They are taking advantage of the Pub Crawl to make a little money. Good for them! I will support them every time.

I know Lenbert well. My wife and I have eaten at his table and we have discussed for hours his plans to help his community. He doesn't have to explain to every single person on the Pub Crawl what he plans to do with his "profits". Lenbert is one of the best people I have ever met in Jamaica or anywhere else.

The kids from the West End/Shanty Town area often come and ask Lenbert for money. He will give them a little money as long as they attend school the next week. And guess what......he checks with the school and holds the kids accountable if they don't go! I have personally heard Lenbert call one of the kids parents and told them they owe him some money back because because their child missed school two days that week after he paid them to go. Why does he do that? Because he wants to give these kids every chance to get an education and succeed. I guess that money came out of his bar "profits".

I once asked Lenbert what we could bring on our next reach to give to the kids. His answer surprised me. He wanted us to bring musical instruments. He knows that kids with an interest in music will do better in school because they are more focused. To date they wife and I have brought 56 musical instruments and he is trying to find a music teacher and he wants to start an orchestra with the Shanty town kids.

If you are concerned what Lenbert does with his "profits" let me give you another example. Several times a year Lenbert goes to Shanty Town and loads the bus with kids and takes them to the beach. All at his expense. We were honored to be with him on his birthday as 6 adults brought 26 kids from Shanty Town for an afternoon at the beach. We considered it one of the best days we have ever spent in all of our trips to Negril. Afterwards, Lenbert stopped in town and bought snacks and juice for everyone one the bus. I guess he was just spending his "profits" from his home bar that people are *****ing about.

If you don't like what Lenbert does or runs his business, then don't go or don't spend your money at his or any other bars. But as for me, I hope to be just like Lenbert when I grow up!

One Love and Jah Bless!