WITNESS
CCTG college, California, 2008
‘THE HELP-AFRICA FRAUD‘
by Matrice Jackson, USA
My experience with CCTG was extensively problematic. Things in life are rarely reflective of what’s expected. However, I could have never anticipated the circus that is CCTG.
An initial sign of what would eventually become an incredibly disappointing experience, occurred my first day in the San Fran Bay area.
The agreement established between the director (Jana) and I was that I would begin my journey at the clothes collection house in the city of El Sobrante, CA. From there, I would commute with other students north to the school in Etna, CA. I receive a text-message from Jana stating bus directions to the clothes collection house. However, the way text was written made it completely undecipherable. She wrote a very long text using a bizarre form of “sort hand” and directions (I later learned) that could only be known by someone who was from or frequented California. She was well aware that I had never visited the state much less did I fall under the categories aforementioned. Mind you, I received this text the evening before my departure. I emailed and called her several times seeking clarification, to no avail. I called her again the morning of the flight and after landing but still received no response. While in the airport, I attempted several times to receive some form of correspondence. (For my life, I couldn’t understand how a school director would not be thoroughly concern about the safe arrival of all students). After more than an hour, she called me as if surprised to hear from me. As if she received none of my messages. She said “hello, Matrice….what’s up?” With total confusion, I stammered out my problem. Jana, as if burdened by my call, shot the number of a Jan Sako (clothes collection supervisor) who I would be calling to pick me up from the airport. While Sako and I were riding to the clothes collection house, he told me that when he talked to the director, she said that I made an “independent decision” to go to El Sobrante. He said she had preferred that I went directly to the school. Strangely, she never stated any preference to me. I recalled the conversation where she specifically stated my two options: “you could go directly to the school in Etna or drive up with some students on Monday from El Sobrante”. Since I had a week before I officially began “class”, I didn’t think it would be a bad idea to rest for a few days before taking the more than five- hour trip north. She said this was perfectly OK. Why she told Sako something so contrary to truth, remains a mystery to me. Although, the bitter taste of that perturbing event held my palette for my entire stay with the CCTG program, subsequent events… fried my tongue.
When I think of the participants at CCTG, adjectives such as kind-hearted and naive come to mind. But when I think of the leadership of CCTG, adjectives like heartless and venomous come to mind. For this organization has presented no sign of humanitarianism nor displayed any interest in the sustainable development of any underprivileged country. This organization is at best, a bad joke. At worst, a completely fraudulent and deceptive corporation.
The original version of my story was roughly five pages. I have condensed it to succinctly describe the ten most critical issues I had with CCTG:
- There was only one class in the nine months I was there. This was a counseling class that lasted three days and was administered by the clothes collection accountant (?).
- We spent 70% of our time fundraising and site-finding. 15% cooking and cleaning. 10% partying, 3% sleeping and 2% studying and preparing for Africa.
- I grieved to leadership about the problem of not having time to study. My complaint was met with arrogant disregard.
- I asked the leadership if the “morning courses” and “evening programs” could be used for study centered on the countries we were visiting and learning the local languages as opposed to playing children’s games. I was told “CCTG might not be the program for you. You might want to consider leaving.” Coincidentally, there was a clause in the contract that stated if a participant quits prematurely he/she will have to pay a $500 cancellation fee and $500 for each calendar month they were enrolled. If I was to quit, they reserve the right to file suit against me at any point (how charming).
- I interviewed students and created a written survey to assess the general sentiment of my peers. There was unanimous dissatisfaction with CCTG specifically regarding academics. I explained to the students in a quasi-clandestine common meeting, that to potentially enhance our learning experience at CCTG, leadership must be aware of our complaints. I asked them to complete a survey form with the option of remaining anonymous. I was startled to find that many declined the survey out of fear the director might reveal their identity via their handwriting (a concern of most Asian students). Jana was greatly feared. Behind a curtain of anonymity, those who completed the survey expressed their discontentment quite candidly. When I shared my data with the director, her face flushed red and she fire at me a gaze more wicked than I’d ever received before or since. Her verbal response: “I’ll look into it. That will be all!”
- After enduring more months of zero learning and watching grown men and women behave like toddlers (filling the time between fundraising events), I decided to refrain from attending any “course” if it was not pertinent to understanding Africa, Africans, or something educational. I explained to leadership that students were succumbing to childish behavior as a result of being disenchanted by the incomprehensive nature of Humana People to People “projects”. The few educational materials available were written in poor English and there was no one qualified to teach the material covered therein.
- I had the pleasure of meeting an African TG (he wouldn’t want his name revealed for he informed me in strict confidence). He came to our “school” as a team-leader. His assignment was to help students with their site-finding objectives. He and I spent long hours driving in California cities looking for places to host the clothes boxes. Our conversations were very intense. His description of Humana’s contribution to Africa’s decay was shocking. Before that point I knew that the organization’s agenda was opaque but I had soon begun to see its intent as malicious. He would describe how African TGs were paid significantly less than TGs from any other continent. He spoke extensively about the contempt the locals have for the “Development Instructor” (DI) that come to their country. He said the student’s naivety and immaturity worsens matters for the local people. He said the locals know Humana has ill intent but they feel powerless in stopping this large organization. I personally observed the way the director mistreated the African TG: non-African TGs used common money for certain activities that he was made to use his private money for (yet his salary was far less).
- I decided to create and administer my own project. I named it Great Minds of Africa. The objective was to support youth development by arming them with knowledge. The courses I was designing related to the following areas:
1) Shedding light on the “lost” and distorted facts of Africa’s pre-colonial past. Illuminating its great history.
2) Making them aware of the basic function of economics. Having them understand how money works and how to have it work for them.
3) Teaching Yoga and personal fitness as a way of life.
4) Reintroducing principals that would help the young men reestablish the great respect and reverence they once held for their women in antiquity. Etc.
- My project was overtly accepted by the leadership but covertly undermined: I was told by the director that I could study and build my project, but I was chastised and repeatedly reprimanded for not attend the all-day parties and playful activities.
- Ultimately, I was given an unrealistic and anti-contractual deadline for my fundraising. This deadline was not extended to any of my teammates or any other student. All other students had deadlines determined at the start of their enrollment. Mine was arbitrarily determined after I followed-up with the director about the student surveys (coincidence? Hardly). For not reaching this absurd goal, my involvement in the program was terminated. This action was a direct violation of my contract which stipulates that a student would only be terminated “for the use of drugs and/or alcohol”. I used neither. Since I didn’t go to Africa, I wonder what they did with the thousands of dollars I raised. I’m sure I will know when I take them to court (lol!)
Matrice
Skype: matrice.jackson
Email: matrice_jackson@yahoo.com
Phone: 773-382-8679
