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Let's not treat Lily's question harshly. Some people do see this website before volunteering, and when they ask Tvind group members about it, the argument given to discredit the site is that it is biased and subjective and was started by a journalist who has never even seen the projects. So I'd like to address that argument seriously, point by point, for the benefit of people in Lily's position who may or may not have had a lot of practice in assessing the value of sources. 1) Bias and subjectivity. Remember that the other material you are examining as you try to make your choice is also subjective. The reading materials about the program in which you want to volunteer are an ADVERTISEMENT for that program, and you should read them skeptically, like other advertisements. Look, too, at the websites for these programs (and notice that a lot of them are at least two or three years old -- why?). Along with this website, you can do a search using a good web search engine such as Google, and you will find many other sites on the web which voice reservations and warnings about Tvind. Consider, too, the variety of materials on this web site and elsewhere on the web: different kinds of contributions should be weighed in different ways. You will find articles from highly respected newspapers and magazines in several countries: these can't be dismissed as 'just journalism'. They are backed by good, thorough research -- and you should be asking yourself, why have none of these publications ever been the subject of a libel suit if none of them are true? You will find reports of past court cases, and of the closings of Tvind schools and programs. These are the results of judicial actions tried in courts in several countries: courts strive much harder to be objective than do Tvind advertisements. You will find the court cases currently on trial: evidence submitted to trial is not gathered lightly or frivolously, nor out of simple malice. You will find the personal experiences of people like yourself, who joined Tvind programs out of idealism and may have rationalized the corruption they found at least to begin with. It is true that many of them are very upset and angry. But as someone just said, this too should tell you something. They are not 'objective', but neither will you be if you, too, are mistreated. Last, you will find links to the Tvind group's own websites. These allow you to examine what the group itself has to say and compare it with the other evidence available. 2) started by a journalist who has never seen the projects. This is now a collaborative site: take a look at the list of people involved and their credentials. Each of the collaborators has experience and expertise of one kind or another to contribute. At least one is an expert on international aid who has made extensive visits to the projects. Lily, don't let them fool you. Weigh all the evidence carefully, and consider how many other, much less questionable opportunities for volunteer work are open to you.

Lily? If you don't mind corruption, please, feel free to join a Tvind school. When you start wondering why all that money you fundraised so hard for is gone, don't ask questions. You have seen the warnings and you wouldn't get a straight answer anyway. You "suspect peoples motives" here because all you are reading is hate and anger? Maybe that should tell you something. Open your eyes!

The story I got, from several sources, was that a number of people left IICD - Michigan last weekend, because their Guatamala trip, which they had paid upfront for, had been working toward, and had understood they were fundraising for, was cancelled for lack of funds. At least one person who was heading to Zambia quit also, after hearing of the living conditions of the volunteers there from a volunteer currently IN Zambia, who was faxing them. The most recent project in Guatamala was dispensed with midway -- the TG leader of the trip quit the TG in December...there were no funds for the volunteers there, either, according to the people I talked with, yet the TG staff was all able to fly to Denmark last month for a big pep rally, and enjoy the fact that the TG had purchased a brand new HOT AIR BALLOON! This, by the way was at the same time that the volunteers at IICD- MI had been left with no food to speak of... The volunteers at IICD - MI had been emailing the IICD - MA volunteers sharing experiences... until the TG staff returned and the email functions on the computers were shut down. The fax machine was also placed "off-limits," after an email describing conditions at the Zambia project was placed on the public bulletin board.

There's lots more, but that's the gist. Would anybody who was there like to step in and elaborate further?

Thanks... Marianna

Lily, this site contains almost every single European newspaper article written about Tvind for the past +5 years. To me that is pretty objective.

Observer, I have not heard any news from IICD MI. It be great to see it. Please post it here or you can contact me at baerman2001@hotmail.com

Lars

Lily, Unfortunately there is rarely anything that can be called an objective opinion in life. There is a lot of anger on this site but it did not form out of nothing but is largely based on people's experience with Tvind schools. People feel burned and react with anger (not always rationally) but the fact of life is that this is part of Tvind experience....

Two suggestions for reading on this website that are largely a recounting of findings and experiences are as follows.

(1) http://www.tvindalert.org.uk/index/Exhibit_C.pdf which outlines some of the Danish government's case on the misuse of funds by the TG.

(2) http://www.tvindalert.org.uk/countries/USA/memorandum.htm This is a description filed by particpants on an IICD program back in 1991 on their experience, particularly in gaining access to information and resources for their program.

I'm not saying that these tell the complete story of Tvind (no way is it that simple) but I think it provides a sense that (1) there are good reasons to be concerned about budget/corruption with Tvind, and (2) there are patterns of manipulation and deceit with Tvind. This in my mind is enough to warn folk off and look into other things to do.

Lars

P.S. It's sad that you are so blase about corruption. Yes it exists but it doesn't make it right nor does it make working within a corrupt system pleasant.

Hi,

I am just a girl who is considering joining one of the Tvind organization and after reading this web-site I got second thoughts. But I have not decided yet. But one thing is that this web-site is full on anger and hate which makes me suspect also your motives. Also my comment for using money not only for charity - where have you been living? Corruption is everywhere and we just have to live with it. Until money runs this world there is nothing to do.

Wishing to get objective information about Tvind because here I see only subjective parts,

Lily

Hello Lars, Did you hear that the IICD Michigan team to Guatamela just quit they refused to go to Central America because there is no money in teh projects find out about this and shed some light for me. Observer

CCTG is not closed. We couldn't get that lucky!

OH, YOU MUST HAVE GOT YOUR ELECTRIC TURNED BACK ON THERE AT CCTG. ISN'T IT NICE? AND EXACTLY HOW ARE ALL YOUR STUDENTS???

Amdi in jail another 5 months? Why so long? Is it going to take Shapiro that long to build a case against extradition? Awwwww, that'll eat up all of Amdi's savings... Unless, of course, The Great Philanthropist has bamboozled Shapiro into putting it all back into the Common Economy!!! Oh, well, one good shark deserves another... we'll see how it all plays out in the end...

So Tomas, have you been down to Bakersfield lately?

We are doing "jolly good" here at CCTG and it has been very interesting to have all kinds of Danish media visiting.

Greetings from CCTG

American justice! What a beautiful thing!!! :)

Is CCTG closed? I've not seen any reports on this other than the comment below.

Lars

I KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE OTHER US TVIND SCHOOLS. THE SCAM HAS BEEN UNCOVERED. THEY WILL SOON CLOSE TOO. THE TVIND EMPIRE IS FALLING APART.

Hi everyone

I have joined to go to Noway in the Summer I will not be going anymore - partly because I am shocked and horrified at the stories that appear on this website and although many have argued that they are unfounded stories like this should not be appearing at all. There are many many organisations out there that need volunteers and i personally am not prepared to take the risk in Norway.

Campus California closed down? Maybe too much press in California with Amdi being there. How will this affect other US Tvind schools?

hello,i am henri, back from africa and humana...

hard to come back

mail to belhen12@hotmail.com

The women that writes about her son. What does her son think?

We know him and we know the story, what is nothing as the mother writes.

Actually Berlingske Tidende broke the Treyton-IKEA story some time ago, you can read more about it on Tvindalert under "China"

I have also seen Tvind and Humana close up and didnt like what i saw. This site has been helpful to a lot of people, who have had less than pleasant experiences during their time involved with this monolithic organisation. Its good to know that the media outside scandinavia have picked up on this and the people who run this website should be commended for providing an alternative voice (warts and all) to the Tvind Empire. if Tvind turns into an accountable concern with money and aid going to those who need it most and without a corrupt leader like Amdi at the helm then surely this is better than the system that Tvind operates under at the moment.

Ummmm - weren't you just sitting in front of your computer writing in the guessbook here? Just because one's opinion isn't the same as yours doesn't mean that what they are writing is stupid and senseless. There are lots of posts from current and former students and members of the TG here. How can you say that someones ACTUAL experience (be it different than yours) is rumor or speculation? There are two sides to every story. Not everyone had the same experience as you, although some did. So because you did have a good experience, should we say you are writing stupid and senseless shit because your experience is not the same as those who didn't? Of course not. You had your time, it was good - that's great. Some people did NOT have a good experience - that's not good. They have every right to post that here. That is what this message board is for. People who are considering entering one of the Tvind schools come here and read the posts - the good and the bad- and then form their own opinion. Putting down the people who run this web site tells me alot about you. Be open to everyones opinion. We all have a right to one, don't we?

I truly hope that all you people will some day find someone else to pick on-maybe the Red Cross for not spending donations made for humanitarian issues on building swimming pools for its employees! Embezzlement of money, tax fraud or not, the NGO's connected to Humana People to People in Africa still do very important work down there. I've been there, I've seen it. It's way easier to spread gossip around than it is to do so with serious journalism based on the truth and not on speculations and rumors. It's amazing for me how many people actually spend their time with sitting in front of the computer and writing stupid and senseless shit in this guest book here. Find something else to play with. For all you people who maintain this web site, does all this make your life any better? Will it improve your life quality if everything affiliated to the Teachers Group will get shut down? Go get a life! jhogenacker@icqmail.com

DREW, MY SON WAS IN CAMPUS CALIF. WHEN HE DID GET OUT, HE ASKED FOR HIS MONEY BACK AND THEY GAVE BACK SOME BUT NOT ALL. WE HAD TO THREATED THE MEDIA AND THE POLICE, GOOD LUCK

DREW, MY SON WAS IN CAMPUS CALIF. WHEN HE DID GET OUT, HE ASKED FOR HIS MONEY BACK AND THEY GAVE BACK SOME BUT NOT ALL. WE HAD TO THREATED THE MEDIA AND THE POLICE, GOOD LUCK

Yes, IKEA has a big superstore in Schaumburg, Illinois, outside of Chicago. Also one in New Jersey, I believe... I'd love to see what the Swedish article says....

Does anyone know if Tvind members can reclaim their contributions over the years if it can be proved that they have become the victims of a massive fraud. Drew

Does anyone know if Tvind members can reclaim their contributions over the years if it can be proved that they have become the victims of a massive fraud. Drew

Things like saying that someone is a moron because they defend Tvind and Amdi does not get you anywhere. If you have arguments put them forward but don't put people down. LISTEN and make up your mind. And if you only read newspapers and see websites like this then I don't give much for your arguments.

Tove

IKEA is in Chicago, USA too - isnt it?

IKEA and TVIND cooperates!!! Today Swedens leading newspaper had an articel revealing that the two companeis meantioned above have many connections. For ex. Tvind companies produce the furniture that IKEA sells in China. For those of You who can read swedish: http://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/Crosslink.jsp?p=DNet&d=11&a=254572&f=index.html

To "Blentz", below... there is no disagreement between the Danish and US systems of law ... it's just that it is not allowed for a person who fights extradition in the US to be extradited without a trial. This extradition issue is separate completely from whether Amdi is innocent or guilty of the Danish charges... If Amdi had decided to go quietly without fighting extradition, then he'd be back in Denmark and on trial right now... The US did well to apprehend Amdi... and to hold him... and to continue to hold him, despite the several requests Shapiro has made to have him released on bond... that (to me) means the US Attorney is on to Amdi, at least enough to be wary of the possibility of his skipping town if he's freed even for a moment... I echo what a poster a long way down the list said a couple of weeks ago... that is... the US jails are a LOT tougher than they are in Denmark... Let Amdi feel what it's like to be a convict in the US for a while...he'll be happy to get back home, then, won't he?

Luis, you can email "feedback@tvindalert.org.uk" . Just tell your story on the page.

hi i'm a portuguese guy who have been in denmark(fakse, lindersvold school) for 5 mouths. fortunaly I found out in time what humana is all about,they ask me to leave coz I didn't have the same ideas. i'd like to tell my story. please tell me to where I can write it to my personnel adress: luis1coelho@hotmail.com greetings for all tvindalert people luis rodrigues coelho portugal

Since they arresting of Amdi. They told the teachers group to remove the teachers group business in there computers. Now they don't put things on papers. I want to go with them and this as to stop.

To the last poster:

Tying to defend a brainwashing fascist like Amdi with pocket philosophy will get you nowhere.

Because the Earth is round, Amdi must be innocent? Kinda sounds like a Shapiro/O.J defense allright, but puh-leeeze!!!

And you're a moron and will be found even dumber

The earth was flat and the world spun around the earth, everyone knew that. Until it was proven otherwise, even though it was proven, it took a long time before people accepted the thought without trying to burn the person saying it....

He has been charged and he WILL be found guilty.

How can you all be so sure that Amdi is guilty. He is hardly charged and last I checked you were innocent untill proven guilty. And he is definitely NOT convicted yet. Would you not want that for yourself if you were in a situation with the law? Does he not have the same human rights as anybody else, I might ask.

Tove

SWINDLE AGAIN

This Tvind-matter is not a matter of beeing logic, and it is not correct when you claim that there are no "charges" against Amdi and 5 other leading persons in Tvind. The danish police has material enough to issue an internationale warrant for arrest on Ambi, however there seems to be some disagreement between the american and the danish juridical system, but this does not mean that he isn`t "charged", because he is according to danish law. It is correct that it has been very diffucult to reveal if Ambi is the "head" of the Tvine impire. Nevertheless the danish police has evidence that he is.According to this the most fair decision would be to extradite Amdi to the danish police authorities where he will have a fair trial. But how can Ambi be "proven guilty" if Shapiro succeds in his business??? blentz@ofir.dk

while I dont dispute that many in the TG genuinely are there in "an attempt to do good work and to work and live together in a new way" there is no escaping the fact that millions of dollars have been salted away to line the pockets of so few. The old adage power corrupts does apply and the general public to boot have been fleeced (thats tax payers in many a country and those who donate in other ways). I can only hope some of the funding for projects that have escaped off shore accounts have done at least a little good, though judging from written accounts and newspaper reports, many of these projects were ill thought out and unproductive to say the least. Sorry but the hard facts are out there now.

How does Amdi rate being put in Solitary???????????

I have wondered, too, what will happen to the TG. Will they be independently-minded enough to carry on without the influence of KLAP? We'll see if they are, and if they then are creative enough/lacking in white Northern European racist arrogance enough/intellectually open and flexible enough, to carry out the best of what might have been the original, if unformed, intent of that little band of young, naive "Gypsy" hippies 30 years ago. Somehow (given the TG has continued to give up their own best intentions to follow the wiles of KLAP over the past many years, blind and unquestioning), I don't have a great amount of hope for that, but stranger things have happened. I wouldn't be opposed to the smartest, most honest (if there are any -- again, how can one be considered "honest," when one is aware that massive amounts of money donated to literally save peoples' lives is being swept away into the coffers of the persons at the top ) and best-intended of the TG becomming a legitimate, and legitimately useful NGO, and putting the millions of dollars intended for that use TO that use, but not having developed any skills in the area of thinking and acting independently, I doubt they'd be able to pull it off (And I'm not sure they'd know what to do with all that money!!!)

I am sure that there are many who will share my view that the glee of recent posters will be short-lived. Amdi and his key associates may well end up in prison, the funds they have controlled confiscated perhaps, but the teachers' group will continue in one form or another, despite the determination of the Danish authorities/media and this web-site to abolish it. The group will continue because it is based on sound ideals, however far you and I may disagree with the way the work has progressed. It will continue because there is an enormous amount of solidarity among members built up over years. I have been a member of the teachers' group, but I disagree with some of their policies and actions. I remain, however, a supporter of the teachers' group work because I trust the core ideals of its leaders. I have worked with many of the people named in the court documents and I know their ideals are NOT based on self-interest or self-enrichment. They are GENUINELY based on an attempt to do good work and to work and live together in a new way. Amid the discourse popular now concerning globalisation, international affiars and the role of the non-state actor, it is interesting to note that the teachers' group may be one of the earliest truly non-state actors under the popular, current definition of the term. I realise that this contribution may attract criticism and perhpas even ridicule and insult, but perhaps we can balance out this debate a little.

Hope this great swindler finally gets his just rewards, we can but hope that the legal system works as it should do and a con merchant of Amdi's VAST proportions is justly reprimanded and punished along with all the other Tvind crooks. Looking forward to the Radio 4 broadcast.

Readers may like to know that a half hour BBC radio programme on Tvind, Crossing Continents, will be aired on Radio 4 at 11am on Thursday 21st March. Tvind Alert assisted with the research. (And they didn't even buy us lunch.....)

Welcome to America Amdi - Where we PAY our taxes!

YeeeHawww! Welcome Amdi!

Let's welcome Amdi into another few weeks, months or years custody c/o the American and Danish prison systems.

Oh, my, how generous!!! Eva paid IICD back for the Guatamala trip? Hmmmmm...but.... is not Eva a TG member? Where did a TG member magically get the money to reimburse IICD ... out of her personal life savings? But wait... that's not how it works with the TG, is it... Eva, how DID you make that mad money materialize???

Question: Why is IICD in debt in the first place? (Think, people, think!!!) Answer: Ahhhaaahh!!!... It's a shell game!!!!!

This is an email I received from a girl who is still at IICD-MI. My apologise for giving information that ran through the grapevine. In order to avoid this from happening again, I don't think I will be posting any more information. I will leave it up to the people directly involved to do so. My statement that I made of my opinion of what happened is a review of my first hand experience so I will not be retracting anything on that. Just the previous statement about the changes made at IICD-MI.Here is the email: I got your e-mail updating people on what you have heard about IICD. I just wanted to say that some of your info is false. The only staff "change" happening is that Line is going to IICD-MA for three weeks out of the month for a few months to take part in a promotions action there to try to get more people to join IICD-MI. Josephine, the country director from Guatemala, is here now to work as a director while Line is away.

As far as compensating for the money that was paid to the Guatemala team, we did not pay out of our fundraising goal, and we definately didn't start from scratch. Line and Josephine are going on a fundraising action to Milwaukee [to do site finding] to get IICD out of debt, and they asked us if we wanted to join. We are going to Wisconsin with them, but we will be fundraising independantly as a team. If when the week is over, we feel that we made a substantial amount [considering this will be an extra week of fundraising that is not in the plans] we will then decide as a team if we want to donate part of our fundraised earnings to help pay back Eva [she was the one who loaned IICD the money to pay the Guatemala team back].

I agree with you 100% Sara, except for one thing. I heard there was NO money to give back to that Guatemala team, so where did that money magically appear from? How DID they get reimbursed? It didn't come from your fundraising efforts. Something to think about. And the Zambia team is fundraising on behalf of IICD so they don't go down? How crazy is that??? What line are they going to use when they approach people?

First of all christian k thorhuage if want to trash something.. please try to learn to SPELL... ie socks.. I think you mean SUCKS. I have an update from people I am still in contact with at IICD-MI. Line, the director of IICD-MI got transferred and a women name Josephine (I may have spelt her name wrong), the person in charge of the Guatemala project that had to reduce to only 3 lines of Child Aid because of disorganization and miscommunication, is now the new Director of IICD-MI. Prabha (the Zamdia team leader) got her visa to stay in the US rejected and is now going back to India. Now for the icing on the cake: The money that was given back to the Guatemala team (the tuition money totalling to approx 10,000US in total) was taken from the money that my team members and I had fundraised in the Chicago area 2 weeks ago, and now the Zamdia (Zambia + India) team members left over must now fundraise from scratch and start their goal all over again. Now my question is, why on earth is the fundraising money being used to pay what was HPP's and TG's mistake??? Why can't they pay for the reimbursement?? This is all information given to me with those in contact with those who are still in the school. The explanation for giving all the fundraising money and starting for scratch is that they (the team) decided to do it in order to prevent IICD-MI going down. I don't remember it being IICD-MI's fault that the Guatemala projects were so poorly run or that HPP has such a communication problem, so why does IICD-MI and ESPECIALLY it's team members have to pay for HPP's mistakes??? And I'm sure if Amdi Peterson can dip into the TG account and steal millions of dollars I'm sure that the TG can affort 10,000 to give to IICD-MI. Please tell me your opinion on this. Sara

First of all christian k thorhuage if want to trash something.. please try to learn to SPELL... ie socks.. I think you mean SUCKS. I have an update from people I am still in contact with at IICD-MI. Line, the director of IICD-MI got transferred and a women name Josephine (I may have spelt her name wrong), the person in charge of the Guatemala project that had to reduce to only 3 lines of Child Aid because of disorganization and miscommunication, is now the new Director of IICD-MI. Prabha (the Zamdia team leader) got her visa to stay in the US rejected and is now going back to India. Now for the icing on the cake: The money that was given back to the Guatemala team (the tuition money totalling to approx 10,000US in total) was taken from the money that my team members and I had fundraised in the Chicago area 2 weeks ago, and now the Zamdia (Zambia + India) team members left over must now fundraise from scratch and start their goal all over again. Now my question is, why on earth is the fundraising money being used to pay what was HPP's and TG's mistake??? Why can't they pay for the reimbursement?? This is all information given to me with those in contact with those who are still in the school. The explanation for giving all the fundraising money and starting for scratch is that they (the team) decided to do it in order to prevent IICD-MI going down. I don't remember it being IICD-MI's fault that the Guatemala projects were so poorly run or that HPP has such a communication problem, so why does IICD-MI and ESPECIALLY it's team members have to pay for HPP's mistakes??? And I'm sure if Amdi Peterson can dip into the TG account and steal millions of dollars I'm sure that the TG can affort 10,000 to give to IICD-MI. Please tell me your opinion on this. Sara

your page socks from christian k thorhuage

Sara - Don't ever say you're a failure!! Obviously you had given this a lot of thought before you made your final decision. You gave 110% and they (IICD,HPP,ect) gave nothing. Good for the Guatemala team. They deserved it! You'll be ok Sara. You are a strong person with a strong mind!

Thanks, Sara!!! You go, girl!!!

YOU ARE DEFINITELY NOT A FAILURE! You're just somebody who got caught up in a very confusing and intricate con game. It's happened to many, many people ...Instead of letting yourself think you are bad or wrong, try to see this is a lesson in values clarification, and acting for yourself on what YOU see and believe to be good, that you can carry with you the rest of your life!!!

The TG has often benefitted from pitting one group's "goodness" (defined in TG terms) against another's "failings" and "weakness" (again, defined by TG standards)... When you're immersed in that culture it IS difficult to tell what's good and what's not, who is "strong" or "ethical" and who is not...When your everyday life and everyday reality have been stripped away in favor of TG values, it's difficult to see that the very premise of the culture is what is questionable. Instead, you're always scrambling to do right by the TG...

You can still do service in Africa (genuine service that will genuinely benefit the people there). Why don't you talk to Zahara Heckscher and get some suggestions from her about how to proceed from here... peacepeace@compuserve.com. She's a former volunteer who went to Africa with IICD, she's got lots of valuable insights...and can direct you to alternative routes to service.

Marianna

Hello, my name is Sara and I was a student who left IICD-MI when I was planning to go to Zambia in July. It was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make and I can't honestly tell you right now that I am fully happy to be back home away from IICD-MI. I have always been aware of TG and A-S Properties and where exactly our fundraising money went too, but I was also having the mind set that I would be going to Africa to do good work. Every NGO/NPO will be taking the short cuts to save money, when you aren't making any, the amount you have you must try to make the BEST possible use of it, without money you can't DO anything especially in a 3rd world country which wouldn't have the money to support the organization. Now the question would be: If I knew it was corrupt in money scandals then why did I stay all this time expecially when half of your team mates had left earlier on? Because I believed in HPP, I thought -- Yes, they are corrupt but I believed in the incredible potential this organization had to do good in this world. The volunteers who join--each individual is amazing and has soo many strengths and skills to offer this organization, the belief that you don't need a degree or personal money in order to help out those in need was a fantastic idea. HPP believes that PEOPLE can help PEOPLE. What a concept! But when I came back from Denmark after seeing the EXPENSIVE property out there that had in one of the schools absolutely no Teachers or DI's (Bustrop) I was beginning to wonder what the true purpose of this organization was? Was it a realstate company or was it an organization that was looking to train volunteers and watch out for its volunteers to do good in this world?? Well the training factor was out of the question. In my school we had nobody who had experience to teach tonga and we were being taught by our own fellow volunteer who was learning straight out of the FEW books about tonga in the school, and the DmM which is bragged about being a HUGE database of information which we can learn from, was a HUGE waste of time, EVERYBODY (including the overly enthusiastic members of my team--who are still there) had stopped doing the DmM system after the second week of training. I had spent my whole time in the past 3 months preparing for fundraising, going fundraising, going to denmark and norway (which I had done without knowing that our school was having HUGE FINANCIAL problems to the point many of the staff weren't getting paid and phone lines were going to be cut). Before I start with what happened at IICD-MI when I arrived back from Denmark, I would like to point out that my Zamdia team had already lost 3 people (including my roommate) because they had read the Tvind Alert site and they couldn't ignore their morals and ethics to stay in this program. It was one of the hardest weeks for me to go through because then I had to question my own morals and ethics... why am I here?? Does this make me a bad person for staying and ignoring all the facts??? Is the fact that I will be going to ZAMBIA to do GOOD--is that enough to right over all the corruption of this organization??? Well I had decided that it was. And to be completely honest I had decided that this organization was NOT for everyone.. and the only reason these girls had left was because this organization was NOT for them, and perhaps volunteering wasn't for them at all. I had rationalized it to the point that these girls were weak volunteers and that they weren't here to volunteer at all or that they didn't want it enough. As it turns out I was wrong and that they were just more intelligent and had stronger morals and ethics then I did. So now I have come back from Denmark and what do I find out??? That my fellow volunteers on the Guatemala team found out that they didn't have a project to go to the DAY they came back from their FINAL fundraising trip. To be honest-- I wanted to avoid the school, I didn't want to deal with this again, but my teammates made me come back to the school and I ended up talking with the guatemala team members. I think to be honest they should come onto this website and tell their story. I won't tell it for them. I am here just to share what I personally went through. So I listened to their story and I was shocked and appalled. First to the fact that Line--the director of the school (whom we had been in contact with the whole time in Denmark) didn't tell us what was going on.. so we had NO clue until Elton picked us up from Chicago airport on Sunday and told us what had been happening since last Wednesday. From the moment I came back there were meetings after meetings. The meetings had two purposes in my opinion: 1) to deal with the Guatemala team 2) Damage control for the Zamdia team that still has to fundraise 7-8 more weeks for the school As the week progressed my feelings and confidence in this organization dimished. I couldn't see how this organization wanted to help others when it has been proven time after time (either speculation or heresay) that this organization exploited the 3rd world people and even its own volunteers. But NOW it wasn't heresay or speculation.. it was ACTUALLY happening before my very eyes... my friends and fellow volunteers had been hurt. Eva (the VP of the board of Directors) and Uoli (I may have spelled the name wrong--I apologize--the Director of the IICD-MA school) even admitted that they had made a mistake in the dealings with the guatemala team, that how they found out and how they were initially dealt was wrong and a mistake and that the communication between projects and training schools needed to be fixed, they also admitted that the training need some changes. But what I didn't understand was that this organization has been sending DI's to projects for 22 years and NOW they are making changes to the lack of proper training and lack of communication (so when a project completely crashes and burns that the training schools would at least have some idea that the project was in trouble BEFORE it COMPLETELY collapses to only 3 lines of child aid out of the 9 lines they were running). I began to again question.. how important is it to the organization to want to help people in need.. to want to train its volunteers so that they are capable in doing that or supporting it's volunteers??? Even through out the week I truely wanted to believe that this organization wanted to do good, but I couldn't see that when their own volunteers were devastated from the way the organization was handling them. It was then I made the decision to quit the organization. My train of thought was: If I and HPP can't possibly stand up and want to help my fellow volunteers in a first world country where we have all the resources and support in the world, where there are laws to protect these peoples rights then HOW can I POSSIBLY think that I and HPP would want too or could help people in third world countries where there aren't the numerous resources, where there aren't laws to protect these people's basic human rights etc??? How can I possibly believe that this organization wants to do right in the world when I couln't even see them wanting to do right to the girls on the Guatemala team. Eventually after many parents invovled later, the Board of Directors decided to do right and give back these girls their full tuition back (minus the registration fee) and they got to keep their plane tickets (which had been already booked before when they thought they were going to running projects). So then after that decision was made I came running back to the organization. I wanted to stay. To me that decision was a domino's affect.. if the first one got knocked down (the Guatemala team was finally dealt the hand they deserved) then other possible changes could be made in this organization. I believed that I could be a positive part to make this organization or at least my school (IICD-MI) to be more of what it was suppose to be--a volunteer organization willing to train and support its DI's and send them to good working projects. Unfortunately my parents and sister came up to visit me. While I had been in Denmark my sister had been doing her own research of HPP and IICD-MI and TG and she did NOT LIKE what she found out and she wanted me out of there. But I ignored that and kept staying. But now my parents became involved extremely worried about my safety and sanity that I eventually became convinced that if I were to stay it would be for ABSOLUTE selfish reasons.. that I would be going to Chipata and working on the Hope project... regardless of the constant corruption that surrounds this organization. Coincidently the day I came back home and left IICD-MI I recieved and email from one of the girls of the Guatemala team who was in contact with one of the girls who was on the Zambia team before me. Anyways she had sent me an email written by the girl in Chipata explaining why she had left Chipata. I don't want this to be heresay or speculation at ALL so I am now going to request that that girl go and post her own comments about the Hope project in Chipata (which Line and Uoli had last week said were VERY WELL ESTABLISHED and would never break down like the Guatemala projects), all I am going to say is that during this whole ordeal they knew why I wanted to stay, I wanted to go to Chipata and work on the Hope project and NOBODY there told me or even indicated that the girl that was working there had already left and NOT stayed out her 6 months there. They (Line and my teacher Prabha) had been willing so much to show us letters from the same girl near the beginning of her stay about how happy she was but did not want to bother sharing any other facts like the fact that she had left the project. Again I really hope she will come and post her opinion about what she saw with her own eyes because I think this is really important for people to see that the school you're training at does not give you all of the facts. They pretty much love the "ignorance is bliss" theory.. and I was living in bliss. I am no longer living in bliss. I can not say right now that I am fully convinced I made the right decision, because in some way I still feel like I am failure as a volunteer that I obviously didn't want to go work on those projects and help people because I couldn't overcome the boundaries... but how high do those walls have to be before I realize I shouldn't even WANT to climb over??? Why do I write this?? Because I wanted to share my experience... I would love it if this organization would change and reach the full potential I think this organization has to do good in this world. I want potential volunteers to understand that you must be CRITICAL of everything that goes on, and realize even though YOU may think you're doing good.. that YOUR actions may be part of and helping something that is NOT!!!!! If you have any questions please address them to Sara and post it up and I will try respond. I think I will post up my new email address in a couple of days. I apologize for the lengthyness of this email and to be honest I had to leave a LOT out because I didn't want it to drag and drag. Thankyou for reading my opinion. Sara

"The argument given to discredit the site is that it is biased and subjective and was started by a journalist who has never even seen the projects."

I am going to disclose something that may be of interest: yes, I have visited a number of the projects. Unofficially and incognito - in Zimbabwe, about three years ago. What I saw and heard from Africans there most certainly confirmed much that is written (by others) on this site. I have never published what I found - Amdi Petersen was not big news then - but one day I will. With pictures. Watch this space. Michael. (Webmaster)

Let's not treat Lily's question harshly. Some people do see this website before volunteering, and when they ask Tvind group members about it, the argument given to discredit the site is that it is biased and subjective and was started by a journalist who has never even seen the projects. So I'd like to address that argument seriously, point by point, for the benefit of people in Lily's position who may or may not have had a lot of practice in assessing the value of sources. 1) Bias and subjectivity. Remember that the other material you are examining as you try to make your choice is also subjective. The reading materials about the program in which you want to volunteer are an ADVERTISEMENT for that program, and you should read them skeptically, like other advertisements. Look, too, at the websites for these programs (and notice that a lot of them are at least two or three years old -- why?). Along with this website, you can do a search using a good web search engine such as Google, and you will find many other sites on the web which voice reservations and warnings about Tvind. Consider, too, the variety of materials on this web site and elsewhere on the web: different kinds of contributions should be weighed in different ways. You will find articles from highly respected newspapers and magazines in several countries: these can't be dismissed as 'just journalism'. They are backed by good, thorough research -- and you should be asking yourself, why have none of these publications ever been the subject of a libel suit if none of them are true? You will find reports of past court cases, and of the closings of Tvind schools and programs. These are the results of judicial actions tried in courts in several countries: courts strive much harder to be objective than do Tvind advertisements. You will find the court cases currently on trial: evidence submitted to trial is not gathered lightly or frivolously, nor out of simple malice. You will find the personal experiences of people like yourself, who joined Tvind programs out of idealism and may have rationalized the corruption they found at least to begin with. It is true that many of them are very upset and angry. But as someone just said, this too should tell you something. They are not 'objective', but neither will you be if you, too, are mistreated. Last, you will find links to the Tvind group's own websites. These allow you to examine what the group itself has to say and compare it with the other evidence available. 2) started by a journalist who has never seen the projects. This is now a collaborative site: take a look at the list of people involved and their credentials. Each of the collaborators has experience and expertise of one kind or another to contribute. At least one is an expert on international aid who has made extensive visits to the projects. Lily, don't let them fool you. Weigh all the evidence carefully, and consider how many other, much less questionable opportunities for volunteer work are open to you.

Lily? If you don't mind corruption, please, feel free to join a Tvind school. When you start wondering why all that money you fundraised so hard for is gone, don't ask questions. You have seen the warnings and you wouldn't get a straight answer anyway. You "suspect peoples motives" here because all you are reading is hate and anger? Maybe that should tell you something. Open your eyes!

The story I got, from several sources, was that a number of people left IICD - Michigan last weekend, because their Guatamala trip, which they had paid upfront for, had been working toward, and had understood they were fundraising for, was cancelled for lack of funds. At least one person who was heading to Zambia quit also, after hearing of the living conditions of the volunteers there from a volunteer currently IN Zambia, who was faxing them. The most recent project in Guatamala was dispensed with midway -- the TG leader of the trip quit the TG in December...there were no funds for the volunteers there, either, according to the people I talked with, yet the TG staff was all able to fly to Denmark last month for a big pep rally, and enjoy the fact that the TG had purchased a brand new HOT AIR BALLOON! This, by the way was at the same time that the volunteers at IICD- MI had been left with no food to speak of... The volunteers at IICD - MI had been emailing the IICD - MA volunteers sharing experiences... until the TG staff returned and the email functions on the computers were shut down. The fax machine was also placed "off-limits," after an email describing conditions at the Zambia project was placed on the public bulletin board.

There's lots more, but that's the gist. Would anybody who was there like to step in and elaborate further?

Thanks... Marianna

Lily, this site contains almost every single European newspaper article written about Tvind for the past +5 years. To me that is pretty objective.

Observer, I have not heard any news from IICD MI. It be great to see it. Please post it here or you can contact me at baerman2001@hotmail.com

Lars

Lily, Unfortunately there is rarely anything that can be called an objective opinion in life. There is a lot of anger on this site but it did not form out of nothing but is largely based on people's experience with Tvind schools. People feel burned and react with anger (not always rationally) but the fact of life is that this is part of Tvind experience....

Two suggestions for reading on this website that are largely a recounting of findings and experiences are as follows.

(1) http://www.tvindalert.org.uk/index/Exhibit_C.pdf which outlines some of the Danish government's case on the misuse of funds by the TG.

(2) http://www.tvindalert.org.uk/countries/USA/memorandum.htm This is a description filed by particpants on an IICD program back in 1991 on their experience, particularly in gaining access to information and resources for their program.

I'm not saying that these tell the complete story of Tvind (no way is it that simple) but I think it provides a sense that (1) there are good reasons to be concerned about budget/corruption with Tvind, and (2) there are patterns of manipulation and deceit with Tvind. This in my mind is enough to warn folk off and look into other things to do.

Lars

P.S. It's sad that you are so blase about corruption. Yes it exists but it doesn't make it right nor does it make working within a corrupt system pleasant.

Hi,

I am just a girl who is considering joining one of the Tvind organization and after reading this web-site I got second thoughts. But I have not decided yet. But one thing is that this web-site is full on anger and hate which makes me suspect also your motives. Also my comment for using money not only for charity - where have you been living? Corruption is everywhere and we just have to live with it. Until money runs this world there is nothing to do.

Wishing to get objective information about Tvind because here I see only subjective parts,

Lily

Hello Lars, Did you hear that the IICD Michigan team to Guatamela just quit they refused to go to Central America because there is no money in teh projects find out about this and shed some light for me. Observer

CCTG is not closed. We couldn't get that lucky!

OH, YOU MUST HAVE GOT YOUR ELECTRIC TURNED BACK ON THERE AT CCTG. ISN'T IT NICE? AND EXACTLY HOW ARE ALL YOUR STUDENTS???

Amdi in jail another 5 months? Why so long? Is it going to take Shapiro that long to build a case against extradition? Awwwww, that'll eat up all of Amdi's savings... Unless, of course, The Great Philanthropist has bamboozled Shapiro into putting it all back into the Common Economy!!! Oh, well, one good shark deserves another... we'll see how it all plays out in the end...

So Tomas, have you been down to Bakersfield lately?

We are doing "jolly good" here at CCTG and it has been very interesting to have all kinds of Danish media visiting.

Greetings from CCTG

American justice! What a beautiful thing!!! :)

Is CCTG closed? I've not seen any reports on this other than the comment below.

Lars

I KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE OTHER US TVIND SCHOOLS. THE SCAM HAS BEEN UNCOVERED. THEY WILL SOON CLOSE TOO. THE TVIND EMPIRE IS FALLING APART.

Hi everyone

I have joined to go to Noway in the Summer I will not be going anymore - partly because I am shocked and horrified at the stories that appear on this website and although many have argued that they are unfounded stories like this should not be appearing at all. There are many many organisations out there that need volunteers and i personally am not prepared to take the risk in Norway.

Campus California closed down? Maybe too much press in California with Amdi being there. How will this affect other US Tvind schools?

hello,i am henri, back from africa and humana...

hard to come back

mail to belhen12@hotmail.com

The women that writes about her son. What does her son think?

We know him and we know the story, what is nothing as the mother writes.

Actually Berlingske Tidende broke the Treyton-IKEA story some time ago, you can read more about it on Tvindalert under "China"

I have also seen Tvind and Humana close up and didnt like what i saw. This site has been helpful to a lot of people, who have had less than pleasant experiences during their time involved with this monolithic organisation. Its good to know that the media outside scandinavia have picked up on this and the people who run this website should be commended for providing an alternative voice (warts and all) to the Tvind Empire. if Tvind turns into an accountable concern with money and aid going to those who need it most and without a corrupt leader like Amdi at the helm then surely this is better than the system that Tvind operates under at the moment.

Ummmm - weren't you just sitting in front of your computer writing in the guessbook here? Just because one's opinion isn't the same as yours doesn't mean that what they are writing is stupid and senseless. There are lots of posts from current and former students and members of the TG here. How can you say that someones ACTUAL experience (be it different than yours) is rumor or speculation? There are two sides to every story. Not everyone had the same experience as you, although some did. So because you did have a good experience, should we say you are writing stupid and senseless shit because your experience is not the same as those who didn't? Of course not. You had your time, it was good - that's great. Some people did NOT have a good experience - that's not good. They have every right to post that here. That is what this message board is for. People who are considering entering one of the Tvind schools come here and read the posts - the good and the bad- and then form their own opinion. Putting down the people who run this web site tells me alot about you. Be open to everyones opinion. We all have a right to one, don't we?

I truly hope that all you people will some day find someone else to pick on-maybe the Red Cross for not spending donations made for humanitarian issues on building swimming pools for its employees! Embezzlement of money, tax fraud or not, the NGO's connected to Humana People to People in Africa still do very important work down there. I've been there, I've seen it. It's way easier to spread gossip around than it is to do so with serious journalism based on the truth and not on speculations and rumors. It's amazing for me how many people actually spend their time with sitting in front of the computer and writing stupid and senseless shit in this guest book here. Find something else to play with. For all you people who maintain this web site, does all this make your life any better? Will it improve your life quality if everything affiliated to the Teachers Group will get shut down? Go get a life! jhogenacker@icqmail.com

DREW, MY SON WAS IN CAMPUS CALIF. WHEN HE DID GET OUT, HE ASKED FOR HIS MONEY BACK AND THEY GAVE BACK SOME BUT NOT ALL. WE HAD TO THREATED THE MEDIA AND THE POLICE, GOOD LUCK

DREW, MY SON WAS IN CAMPUS CALIF. WHEN HE DID GET OUT, HE ASKED FOR HIS MONEY BACK AND THEY GAVE BACK SOME BUT NOT ALL. WE HAD TO THREATED THE MEDIA AND THE POLICE, GOOD LUCK

Yes, IKEA has a big superstore in Schaumburg, Illinois, outside of Chicago. Also one in New Jersey, I believe... I'd love to see what the Swedish article says....

Does anyone know if Tvind members can reclaim their contributions over the years if it can be proved that they have become the victims of a massive fraud. Drew

Does anyone know if Tvind members can reclaim their contributions over the years if it can be proved that they have become the victims of a massive fraud. Drew

Things like saying that someone is a moron because they defend Tvind and Amdi does not get you anywhere. If you have arguments put them forward but don't put people down. LISTEN and make up your mind. And if you only read newspapers and see websites like this then I don't give much for your arguments.

Tove

IKEA is in Chicago, USA too - isnt it?

IKEA and TVIND cooperates!!! Today Swedens leading newspaper had an articel revealing that the two companeis meantioned above have many connections. For ex. Tvind companies produce the furniture that IKEA sells in China. For those of You who can read swedish: http://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/Crosslink.jsp?p=DNet&d=11&a=254572&f=index.html

To "Blentz", below... there is no disagreement between the Danish and US systems of law ... it's just that it is not allowed for a person who fights extradition in the US to be extradited without a trial. This extradition issue is separate completely from whether Amdi is innocent or guilty of the Danish charges... If Amdi had decided to go quietly without fighting extradition, then he'd be back in Denmark and on trial right now... The US did well to apprehend Amdi... and to hold him... and to continue to hold him, despite the several requests Shapiro has made to have him released on bond... that (to me) means the US Attorney is on to Amdi, at least enough to be wary of the possibility of his skipping town if he's freed even for a moment... I echo what a poster a long way down the list said a couple of weeks ago... that is... the US jails are a LOT tougher than they are in Denmark... Let Amdi feel what it's like to be a convict in the US for a while...he'll be happy to get back home, then, won't he?

Luis, you can email "feedback@tvindalert.org.uk" . Just tell your story on the page.

hi i'm a portuguese guy who have been in denmark(fakse, lindersvold school) for 5 mouths. fortunaly I found out in time what humana is all about,they ask me to leave coz I didn't have the same ideas. i'd like to tell my story. please tell me to where I can write it to my personnel adress: luis1coelho@hotmail.com greetings for all tvindalert people luis rodrigues coelho portugal

Since they arresting of Amdi. They told the teachers group to remove the teachers group business in there computers. Now they don't put things on papers. I want to go with them and this as to stop.

To the last poster:

Tying to defend a brainwashing fascist like Amdi with pocket philosophy will get you nowhere.

Because the Earth is round, Amdi must be innocent? Kinda sounds like a Shapiro/O.J defense allright, but puh-leeeze!!!

And you're a moron and will be found even dumber

The earth was flat and the world spun around the earth, everyone knew that. Until it was proven otherwise, even though it was proven, it took a long time before people accepted the thought without trying to burn the person saying it....

He has been charged and he WILL be found guilty.

How can you all be so sure that Amdi is guilty. He is hardly charged and last I checked you were innocent untill proven guilty. And he is definitely NOT convicted yet. Would you not want that for yourself if you were in a situation with the law? Does he not have the same human rights as anybody else, I might ask.

Tove

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