Archive 1

 

you guys kick ass!!!! Keep up the good fight:-)

You are quite right in a way. Some of the contents on these pages (the "shite" as you call it) is unproven but that does not mean it is untrue! Live well and try not to be bitter! NN

Hello Secret Butterfly going to Norway.   I know Tvind. from years ago, joining a school project for 2 years, and have followed the development of T. ever since. 
Tvind has become even more closed up and strict than it was 20 years ago. I cannot in detail say that everything you read in Tvindalert is true, but in general I can only confirm the picture: 
You cannot trust any T. teachers - because they say and do only what they "have to" - democracy is only used when appropriate to the teachears goal, and you yourself dont have a chance to influence your stay at the school in any other direction than the "Correct" (=wanted by the teachers) direction. Dont pay a penny in advance - you will never see it again, if you have to leave the school. Always keep a "backdoor" open to get away, and keep your old friends, if you are not following my advice to stay far away from Tvind. Greetings from Charl.

Hi you worried about starting in Norway 
I think it is a very good place and programme! 
Have a nice time!

This site is a lot of unproven shite.

A very late answer from " the poor Icelandic girl" (scroll down if you want to find my original entry and the "friendly" comment). 
1) There is nothing "poor" about me. And another thing, how can you be so sure of my gender? 2) I was not chained, as I am sure you know. It did take me a while to realise what I had gotten myself into, and the decition to leave the children I was working with was not an easy one. I was also sleepdeprived and constantly tired, and that did not hurry things up. 3) I will not dignify your comment about Icelandic sheep farms. 4) Why are you so hostile, are you sure you are "sick and tired" with the people that have left Tvind or could it be that the problem lies elsewhere?

Hey secret butterfly Make sure if they ask you to paint peoples houses etc that you are not reponsible for the debts of the company. The usual trick is that its your groups business and you all share the risks.  Unfortunatly as soon as you make any money it becomes a Tvind company and your mearly a unpaid servant. Whatever you do try and get anyagreements down to work or monies in writing and double check the insurances (and legal documentation) in case of accident or damage to property. yours Jock

whoops sorry. I forgot to enclose my email addy.

secretbutterfly8@hotmail.com

So I have been reading this website and I am a bit afraid of the stories, because I just signed up to go to norway. Some parts I think can be true, but others I question.

When I went to the info weekend in denmark I even joked about it being a cult when I arrived, but as the weekend started I liked it more and more. I think they were honest about what the press thinks of them and what to expect. On the other hand when I asked questions about what time you have to do your own thing and the possibilities to meet other people outside the school the reply from the headmaster was strange, but when I asked someone else about she was very honest.

I don't think it can be as bad as this website sais, but I am glad I can keep these stories in mind. I would be very pleased if others can mail me about there experiences.Especially from people who have been to the school in Norway. I want to be prepared.

Thank you

What interests me in these pages and letters is the broad lack of analysis of the quality of work done by Tvind/Humana/ADPP in the field. Only passing references to the development issues of sustainability, empowerment, participation, etc... And if the ADPP approach is or isn't successful. Can someone expand on this for me? Would an ADPP person take time to explain his/her feelings on the success or otherwise of their work in Africa?

In Mozambique last week the subject of ADPP came up in an informal meeting of NGO people. One thing that came out was that there was a strong feeling that ADPP people kept themselves apart and actively discuraged any contact between the volunteers and the other NGO workers. For instance, one lot of Irish NGO workers based up in Quelimane had noticed that an ADPP volunteer had formed a relationship with one of their staff but had reported getting a very hard time from her managers who were discouraging her relationship with an 'outsider' - to the extent of fining her and denying her transport into town. It didn't make much sense. Said one lively Canadian worker: "Well what do you expect to happen if you send blonde scandanavians off to work in the bush?"

On the serious side, most people simply questioned the quality of ADPP work - (not the integrity or commitment). There was a strong feeling that ADPP staff (volunteers and managers), were not 'integrated' intobroader development structures and practices. While I argued that there is always room for diversity and alternatives, people - better qualified than I - stuck hard to the line that ADPP simply wasn't 'professional' enough to be effective and instead comprised a diversion. From what? The cosy little norms and self-serving interests of the 'regular' NGO community? Henry

Dear Lars

Bitter? - I think angry. Angry for loosing my selfdependens, angry to see democracy turn out to be a totalitarian system, with controlling all the time, that was, what I could not stand. And angry because I was forced to commit an inreparable deceit of som close family - twice.

I know mighty well, that there are lots of very good teachers in the T.G., and very faithfull to the system. But every one of them knows, that the decision are made for them, even it seems like it was taken on a common meating - just the same way the outcoms of a meating with the students are dicides BEFORE the meating. I also understand, that teaching the students feels so importent, that this seems ok.

And I know all the words. I have answered hundreds of peoples questions, f. inst. "But do you not have any spare time for your self?

Answer: what is spare time for? It is for doing, what one feel like doing - but we are allways doing, what we feel like doing, and all the time, not onlys som hours a day.

Question: But what happens, when you are getting old?

Answer: When you get old, you can still do, what you like the best, and you are not forced to live in a small appartment and feel lonely - here you will never be lonely.

As a fact, that was the picture I had, and was suppose to have about beeing old outside Tvind. Now I know better. No one tells my what to do or what not to do, and life is wonderfull outside Tvind - the world is open and we are many friend. to support each other if nescessery. And to be outside Tvind cannot prevent me from doing some good for needing people, without sacrificing my life. My life is mine, and it is a gift I gave myself.

ELSE

Hey Taff why do you read this web site? Are you going through a bit of confusion? Don't you know who to believe any more? Are you tired overworked under nourished? Was life on the dole that bad. Are your dreams coming crashing down around your ears?

Don't get angry Don't go into denial Find out what is going on. If this web site is full of lies then confront the issues and prove it.  Nobodys telling you to leave or give up anything. Ex Tvindies are simply warning people not to make the mistake of joining the cult which tvind is. 

Taff I think you like attacking this site because you are unsure of what you are doing in your life with the result of a major portion of denial.

Good luck

Jock

BINGO!

A reply from Mr Thomsen himself and the *ANONYMOUS* webmaster almost at once!

What do you think Taff? Getting too close?

To Kamila,

would you be more precice about why you left and what really happened in Holsted?  It would mean a lot to me if i would know, because i am planning on going there...

Write back soon!

From, Betty

I would like to praise Steen Thomsen for his elegant reply to the foul personal abuse levelled at him. This guestbook is intended to promote sensible and open discussion - please do not use the anonymity offered as an excuse for childish name calling and disgusting personal abuse.

Webmaster, Tvind Alert

Dear A. Sveinsdttir.

I have just checked with the Icelandis Ministry of education and they told me that The DNS teacher certificate is not valid in Iceland. However I must say it does not surprise me that the DNS webpage says otherwise...

t is good to notice the Tvind people really read this web-site. What is not so good is to notice that, like it has always been, the Tvind people push away any critics of the system by going for the person instead of considering or commenting upon what is said about the system, using even perfidy.

Some question my intentions. Well, certainly just after having left the system, I had a feeling of guilt and fear. I had no intentions at all about criticising the system in public. But after I had met with a few other former members, I really grasped that I was not the one who had done anything wrong by leaving. I heard their personal stories and realised they had felt kind of guilt by leaving. They had put the blame on themselves.

Some of these people suffer (suffered) physical and also psychological illnesses, caused partially or fully by their lack of personal freedom during their time in the TG. Some of them had also faced hard times after leaving the TG - without money, frequently without education, - and often without friends. I realised I had to do something to "get Tvind out of the system", in order not to end in the same situation. So I started writing fragments of my history with Tvind. In the end, I had written a number of pages, and I let about twenty equally former TG members read it. They really were a random sample of people, as I, by then, did not know where but a few of my former "TG-comrades" lived. The people I met said my story was correct as it confirmed their own experience. A few of them wanted minor things changed, which I did.

By then, I had realised I could not just keep this by myself. I knew - also from people who left the TG after me -, the system had not changed. Should new people, students, teachers, TG members, again and again be exposed to the Tvind system, or could my report make them consider once again what they were doing when joining it? Consequently, I sent my report to The Danish Ministry of Education. It caused some publicity, which I guess could be imputed to the fact that Tvind operates so much in secrecy and now, for 22 years, have kept their leader in a hiding place. In general, people in any society do not accept such a thing, I think. They want openness, especially when the talk is about educating people - maybe even their own children.

Like most other former TG members, I enjoy my freedom. It is not so bad to be outside the TG as we used to tell each other! We are many out here, looking forward to meeting you and supporting you the day you leave.

Steen Thomsen.

H Sara Ellen.

Veist a kennaraprf fr DNS (The Necessary...) sklanum er ekki viurkennt Danmrku og heldur ekki slandi? Vertu vel veri, g veit a getur lrt margt gott arna en ar er ekki allt sem snist. Lttu undir engum kringumstum plata ig til a ganga kennarahpinn (lrergruppen), a er ar sem htturnar liggja.

This is a great site and sadly it is all true. It does not surprise me that many people that are, or have been, with Tvind protest loudly in this guestbook but let me tell you this; if you ever get near the inner circle you will be in for a surprise!

Dear Sylvia,

I can tell you something about Winestead hall.

As you probably know, it is now CICD (College for international cooperation and development). It is being run by 3 wonderful people with a group equally wonderful students. Together they will do a whole lot of development in Mozambique, Angola and Malawi, despite sick attempts by certain (previously well respected) newspapers and even more sick negative pressure groups who misinform friends and relatives and in turn stop well intentioned, good people people from doing good work that benefits the people who really need it in the abovementioned countries.

LONG LIVE CICD - keep up the good work.

THIS IS JUST A SITE JUST FILLED WITH CRAP!!!!!I'M SPEECHLESS TO THEWHOLE THING..AND TO BE HONEST....IF PEOPLE BELIEVE THIS CRAP...THEN THEY ARE BRAIN WASHED..NOT ME!! I HAVE BEEN IN THIS "SYSTEM" FOR 1 1/2 YEARS AND I'M PLANNING ON STAYING LONGER...BUT NOONE IS TELLING ME TO,IT'S MY CHOICE

Hello, I am a 21 year old student at the Necessary Teacher Training College in Denmark. I come from Iceland. I happened to run into this pages about the organisation I am enrolled in and I have to say it gave me such a shock. I believe that behind a lot of organisations there is some kind of greed and we live in a world where the money has the power. Of course you cant say that about every person but when it comes down to it people get greedy.

Now I have been a student here for one year and am looking forward to start the second one. I want to say that not once during that year have I felt that my people here are trying to get me to think like them or stop having contact with my family and friends. I have been on home leave twice and I am going back for christmas.

Here like in every other college or organisation I have been involved in there are sometimes things I mislike, I cant see anything so uniqe with that.

I hope you know what you are doing, and keep in mind that there are always two stories about everything..

Sincerely

Sara Ellen Hjaltadottir

Can any one get back to me who knows any thing about Winestead hall?

Thanx

Angellove1679@aol.com

Hi,

My name is Sylvia. I was at Winestead hall from 93 to 95. I was a

student there. I need to tell someone about my experiences. I have fled the country to get away but i now see they are all over the world. You see, when i looked at you article about it not being safe and there are risks, Steen (who was there while i was there) failed to tell you what happend to the kids. The first year i went skiing to Norway, I had a serious knee injury. Steen and Jochen made me walk back up the Mountain because they said i was an attention seeker. It took me 4 1/2 hours to get back up there. Now shortly after that i got into a fight with another young boy who was also living there. The fight resulted in my eyebrow needing stitches. But the thing was they refused to take me to the hospital for another 3 days. And only then because i theatend to call the police if they didnt take me. So much more happend that i

know i can never have my real self back. It was like a fancy Tower of London. You put so much in but you never got anything but pain and heartache back. I have to go now but please email me if you would like the full story. And thank you for making such an informative website. I am now making it my duty to warn people over here in the US about the terror that goes on with these people.

thank you

Dear Gina,

You say that it is very difficult for people who have never been brainwashed to understand how it effects you.

I have a question - Are you Brainwashed also?

Therefore, according to your logic then you must be to understand Mr Thomsen, if you have not been brainwashed then you are not able to understand Mr Thomsen and therefore we shouldn't attach any value to your words.

If however you are brainwashed, then how can we be sure that you words are coming from your own thoughts and not someone else's Or maybe you have been brainwashed and are now un-brainwashed (if this is possible) or you have been returned to a previous state of mind. In which case - how do you know? Maybe you are brainwashed a second time.

As for Mr Thomsen, I still don't buy it. Come on Mr Thomsen please own up. What is your motive?

Has anyone else got any ideas?

Taff

Attention Else,

I don't know if you need to get your head examined, but you obviously seem very bitter about something and I would advise you to get on with your life and leave these good people alone.

I have been a solidarity worker myself in 1995 spending 6 months in Mozambique and 7 months before and after at the Travelling folk high school. During this time no one was ever treated or refered to as the enemy.

I would say that you are brainwashed, but by your own bitterness.

Because you have obviously not lived up to your own expectations you have to blame it on something else. You have convinced yourself (like others) of this.

Relax,

Lars

Dear Else,

Please get your head examined.

Choice, Else. Do you understand that word? You CHOOSE to be in the Teachers' Group. If you don't like it, please don't join.

Yes, anonymous teacher. I know that some people is better of than others in the Tvind regi. It did not seem like that in the beginning, but it is very clear now. And I know how people inside cling to the idea, that they are right, no matter what. What else can you do, unless you break down og grow very mad because of unjustice.

Else.

If Tvind doesn't want to be hassled then why don't they simply give the money back with interest to those ex members that they have taken off?

Else,

I have been in the teachers group for many years too. I can assure you that I watch television. And talk to my mum on the phone whenever I want to. She comes and visits me. I visit her. I read newspapers and magazines. I use the Internet. This website has really opened my eyes to how silly the arguments against Tvind are. I laugh out loud when I read the pathetic "stories"! They are very lopsided to say the least...

Am I brain washed? Else, are you sure that you are not the one who is brain washed? Do you really think that just because there are people who have a different opinion than you - and who want to do something different in their life - that they are brainwashed? Has it ever occured to you that your life consists of possibilities and choices? I don't want an "ordinary" life with a house, a 9 - 5 job, a partner, 2.6 children and hoildays on Mallorca. If that is what you want - that is fine by me. But that is not what I want. I have chosen something different in my life, and developing opportunities and schools for people is what I do. I don't work 14 hours a day, I'd say it would be closer to 16 some days - sometimes less, that is up to ME. And you know what? I love and savour every second of it.

And no, I am not going to put my name here, because I don't want to get harassed by M. Durham & Co. That is another choice I have made.

It is nor strange, that Steen Thomsen and many, many others left Tvind after several years. There is an inside and an outside. The outside is somehow the animy, and you have cut of your family and friends, if you are a true tvindperson. You are not alloud to read the news or watch the tv without permission and you are told and truly believe, thyat the wold outside have no room for you. You need good friend to take you in.

Also for years I was believing, I took responsibility for the world and was doing just the right thing, even it was often very hard.

But like Steen I found out, that this was not about aid, at least not about aid without getting power.

The leaders will always be people from Tvind, and they never pass over any projects to the local people. The schoolborders are people from Tvind and a few parents. I was member of a schoolborder and I did not know about it. NINE years after I left Tvind I got a letter, telling me, that since I had not been to a meeting for years, I would be cut of the list. I was surprised. I had never been on the school.

We did not listen to any criticisme, and were convinced, that we were right - also Steen, untill he found out how his school was used as a moneymashine - and we all got the experience of the luxury the toppeople live in - like other cults.

Now I am happy to be on my own, and hvae nobody to tell med all day long what to do and what not to do.

And the fact is, we are hundreds who saved our souls in time.

Else

ejgilc@mobilixnet.dk

I also knew Mr. Thomsen but unlike you I agree with him 100% and can relate to his experience. It is very difficult for people who have never been brainwashed to understand how it effects you. It may seem suspicios that he stayed so long with Tvind, but when you have been taken in by them, you want to belive them and it is very hard to realise how things really are. Tiredness alone makes it hard for you to think straight, a typical working day for a member of the teachers group is approximately 14 hours.

Gina

Hi Taff and others,

re. Mr Thomsen:

I know him very well, I used to work with him. He is indeed "getting famous" now, the reporters and newspapers are slobbering all over him. I am sure he enjoys the attention very much. In a way, it is not so strange that he is acting like he his, we see similar stories in the newspapers sometimes; about husbands who after long marriages get divorced from their wives and then turn on them, accuse them of all sorts, stalk them, threaten them (I am not a psychologist and do not know if this kind of "trauma" has a name...)They cannot bear seeing their ex-spouse being happy, they feel that they have wasted valuable time of their life on the relationship, etc.

It seems like Mr Steen Thomsen is reacting in a similar way. After 26 years with Tvind, he is "divorced" - and not coping very well. He then goes on to blaming the partner. And the newspapers love getting some gory stories so he gets a lot of attention and can get his revenge. Sad but true.

MM

There is nothing more offensive than people who don't know what they are talking about. Re. comment by Richard Lugg. I look forward to the day that people like you become open minded.

Frank

In my opinion, this website is a load of crap based on sensational reports and the complaints of dis-satisfied students who should probably listened more to what they were told before enrolling.

I once went to an information meeting, as I was interested in becoming a solidarity worker (although I didn't because I chose to continue my studies instead and have since married).

At this meeting we were told about fundraising, having to find accomodation for free, hitch hiking, being responsible for part of the school, for example maintainance. We were also told that there had been many negative things written in the press and where the stories have come from.

In addition to this we were told that the programme was intense and that some people end up leaving the programme before completion.

The meeting lasted 3 and a half hours and was very informative. (With a break in the middle with refreshments)

I would suggest to all people who would like to do this to listen at these meetings. This way you can avoid the suprise of finding out thatyou have to fundraise etc.

One thing that we were also told was that the programme was open for anyone, but wasn't necessarily for everyone (for example, if you didn't want to work hard or try new things). So for everyone reading this website, it may look good, it may even look professional, it may look like there are a lot of facts on offer, pictures, figures etc. PLEASE USE YOUR HEADS AND REALISE THAT THESE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS WEBSITE HAVE THERE OWN HIDDEN AGENDA, THEY ARE PROBABLY PEOPLE WHO SHOULD HAVE LISTENED BETTER IN THE FIRST PLACE.

Frank

Isn't it strange that this Steen Thomsen guy took twentysomething years with this so called Tvind thing to find out that he thought it was so bad.

I think it is strange anyway. It makes me think about what what his motive is. He is very popular with the newspapers at the moment. Maybe he always wanted to be famous.

Taff

Does anyone else think this is strange?

I have to say that as a former student at dns, there were alot ofdifficult periods and bumpy roads. On the other hand I had some fantastic life experiences at DNS. Travleling on a bus to Asia, Working in Cabinda, Africa, with good project leaders and seeing much of europe with a group of international students.

There are alot of good people genuinely working from the heart and helping others who need solidarity, Tvind has been a platform for many people who want to do somthing out of the ordinary and help those in need and continues to do so. However difficult that may be.

Thanks DNS for the experiences, I learnt alot.

Regards Alistair Thomson

That's the way to go Andeas, go and see for yourself. Trust yourself and not reporters.

I have recently decided to embark upon a year as a "teacher-in-training" at one of the Tvind schools in Denmark. I have met several times with a woman named Else-Marie Petersen who has explained much to me about the school's ideals and accomplishments.

I was not, however aware of the great controversy that surrounded this organisation and am endeavouring to find out as much as possible from various sources, and I advise anyone else who is considering the same to do as I am doing and keep your mind open. I have not decided which path I am planning to take, but as I have advised to others I am keeping an open mind about the whole affair. Good luck to anyone else who is in the same position as myself.

Andreas Michael Madsen

I think I would second that!

Drew

I look forward to the day that they are shut down and the resources that they steal are made truly available to the oppressed people of the ex-colonial countries!

There are few things more offensive than rich fake Maoists.

Richard Lugg.

rlugg@lbhounslow.org.uk

hi

i have just quitted from a tvind school in denmark.   the artical in your web page writen by kamila tells everything in my school.

i will never feel sad from my tvind experience because i met so many nice boys and girls for whom i fought against tvind.

i am a chinese and i feel that there is a huge culture difference between east and west which makes me difficult to tell what is wrong and what is right. but as for tvind,i can tell anybody that it is wrong, absulutely wrong.

fighting against tvind will become my life time duty. because they cheat innocent young people to earn money for tvind, not for the poor.

u can put my emails in the guest book.

thank all who give time and energy to this webside.

love

anian

hi two chinese students

i saw your artical and now i know you have a same situation with mine when i was in tvind school.

you have only one choice to protect yourself. fight against them. local commune, newspaper, tv station, radio station, all of them. go there and talk to them.

one thing remember never use physical violence against anybody there.

the only one could help you is yourself

good luck ex student in tvind

anian

These Tvind schools sound brilliant! Where can I get more information?

I was a volunteer in a Danish school, and I was beating because I couldnt fundraise 15 hours like they wanted. Finally I escaped nacked from the cellar they close me and in Ulforg I told the police what happend to me. They didnt believe in my story, but I know they are connected with that cult. please help me to tell to the world my story: anders_meyer@yahoo.com

My brain is washed, my brain is washed, bonga,bonga,bonga, who shell I believe, in the wolf or in the sheep? bonga,bonga,bonga, I lost my soul, I lost my socks, I lost my friends, bonga,bonga,bonga, alert! see the mill blowing in tvind, bonga,bonga,bonga!

Hi! It is funny your web page. I can trace neuroses, I can also see good fiction and really bad fiction, activists, blind people and also very normal people; internet is this you can be a serial killer and give an image of an angel; It is funny and gives a lot of inspiration to write about diseases and lack of vision. The world is a big supermarket, and this site like many thousand others is a good market. Keep looking to your belly bottom, I will visit more times!

I am a former dns student and can relate to alot of what has been told in this web site. I myself have slept in motorway stations, worked in humana factories under terrible conditons, for long hours in the name of charity. Recived a poor standard of education, and spent the most part of my education working to pay off a study loan. In my team of 46 students only 16 completed the 4 year education. 5 of whom were scholarship students from africa. I was accused of being an alcoholic for drinking beers while at the college, and had a difficult time relating to the teachers. I know the headmaster of dns sometimes would be violent to students who would not collect enough money during the postcarding periods. Students were often unhappy and felt used by the college.

standing shoulder to shoulder comrades though like your ancesters standing at the gates of valhalla! Its a shame that when we recieved our training the only people working shoulder to shoulder where the workers. Whilst amdi and his group slept through his depression. Loading the bullets for others to fire. Oden wouldnt be proud of this Dane!

Can all former staff and students from Winestead Hall School (from when it was the Small School only) please contact me regarding a reunion. E-mail me at: neil_a_terry38@hotmail.com

CAN ANYONE FROM WINESTEAD HALL E-MAIL ME, NEIL TERRY, AT NEIL_A_TERRY38@HOTMAIL.COM . IN PARICULAR THOSE FROM WHEN IT WAS THE SMALL SCHOOL. THANKS.

Hi! This website is pretty good and most likely accurate. People do most certainly have different experiences in the program. I was at DRH Lindersvold in 97 and I have to say it was one of the most enjoyable time of my life,, meeting all these people from different nationalities and working with them,,mmmmmm...priceless. I admit that some of the teachers were a bit confused,, and some even tried to spread the message of Amdi,, but we were individuals,,hardheaded and strongminded,, and we took power,, and had the time of our lives. Then I went to Africa and did my job. I learned alot from that as well,,, its all about fitting in, and not let somebody else tell you what to do. Take control of your own life,, and stay in control, then nobody can "fuck" with you, (pardon the foul language) So everybody,, stop crying,, its all up to you. I recommend Tvind,, just make sure youre getting more from them then youre giving to them,, thats good business. Take care. Thor Iceland

Hi, I am actually trying to get hold of Steen Thomsen for a reference from my time at Winestead Hall as a volunteer! if anyone can put me in touch with him or pass this on I would be really grateful. My email is: gallwood@hotmail.com, thanks.

Isn't this a good website you can have the freedom to attack it without having your views edited out. Unlike some pro tvind sites one could mention. If Tvind is such a good thing why is it that their leader is in hiding? Why is all the WEALTH? Resources of the organisation syphoned off away from the workers that actually do the aid work. How can an organisation like Tvind be allowed to masqurade as a charity exploiting people and taking peoples good money under false pretences. Unfortunatly there are too many unanswered questions. This organisation gives charities worldwide a bad name.By the way Tvind ripped me off too I joined I was not told about Amdi I was not told where the money went.

Andrew

Hello my name is Neil Terry and I used to be a student at Winestead hall (I was there when it shut down. I have read Steen Tompsen's page and I would like his E-mail address, or you can pass on mine to him. My address is neil_a_terry38@hotmail.com

Thank you very much.

Neil terry

OK - poor Icelandic girl... Why did you stay for three years if it was so terrible? Were you chained or something? Why did you start in the first place - working with some of the most difficult students you could possibly find in Denmark - if all you REALLY wanted to do was work on an Icelandic sheep farm? I am sick and tired of people who refuse to accept responsibility for their own lives, and then claim that "TVIND" this big, grey, mysterious monster, made life miserable for them.

Thank you for this website. I was a member of the teachers group for nearly three years and it was terrible to say the least. It took me many years to recover compleatly from the experience. I will not submit my name, because I am from Iceland (where everybody knowes everybody else)and very few people here know of this part of my life.

To EVERYONE looking for the answers of life:

Tvind and all the enthusiastic people working at its organisations know the answers of everything - Join them, and you will never have to worry about thinking yourself.

From : "Charl-beentheremyself"

As an African working in a public library in Amsterdam since 1991, I have often come face to face with European youths, naieve and lost, on the verge of signing up for one of Tvind's Travelling School's courses. In each case I used all my knowledge to let them see just how risky such a commitment would be. But Tvind has a way of appealing to the blind idealism and need for direction of people in that vulnerable age-set. You efforts to expose their inexposable world is commendable.

the teachers at red house saved my life. diana

To stay at Tvind will give you a lifetime experience, but I am not sure that this experience is only good, or only healthy. I stayed at a Tvindschool for 2 years, and my main lesson was that it takes very little press to break most people down. And it takes very little to make fragile persons to long for that type of belonging and strong relationship you can have in a system like this. I, myself, got very aggressiv of the social press and their(the teatchergroup) tyranic control. In fact, I can not stand them anymore. My experience is that Tvind has very litle to do with soical engagement, or genuine interests in helping other people. Sorry, but true. The good thing is that Tvind can offer adventurers a very exiting time,.. a lifetime(heavy)experience. Just take very care, be strong and extremly critical.

ElinA

I'd like to know who is in charge of this website. The commentary throughout is very sloppy to say the least. If you would like to critisise Tvind, you should at least get your facts right. There is an incredible amount of inaccuracies and unsubstantiated "fatcs" on here - mere guesswork it seems to me.

Oi - you sad people who have made this website! Haven't you got anything better to do than moan and complain about people who are truly trying to do something good in their lives? Have you asked people in rural Africa what they think of the Humana projects? Have you asked young people who have managed to get an education and a decent life, because they have been helped at the Small Schools in Denmark? Many of them would have been behind bars or hopelessly addicted to drugs had they not had the chance to go to these schools. How come you don't listen to people who have good stories to tell about their time as a solidarity worker? Who actually think that raising funds on the streets is an amazing experience? If you want to join a team - no one promises you a rose garden. You are told how hard it is, about all the personal challenges. About the obstacles you will have to overcome. About how tough fund raising can be. About how bloody awkward it is to work in Africa. When you come to the school for an info meeting, it is all WYSIWYG. So if you don't like it - that's fine. It is up to you. But will you please leave us, the ones who actually want to do some good work here, ALONE? Thank you. zvakanaka@hotmail.com

I was at Hornsjo and Zambia last year, and it was one of the most amazing positive experiences in my life. I did six months of good work in Africa and made some amazing friends. Every person you put off going to Africa to work with your biased stories (and I include spreading propaganda about the schools by inviting the NZ Herald to the meetings in New Zealand and giving them incorrect information) means a commnunity in Africa fails to benefit from their help. 10 people put off by this means 5 years of development work not done. Happy? My friends living in poverty in rural Africa aren't. I'm happy to talk about my experiences to anyone who wants to listen. Africa was hard work, but incredibly worthwhile. Please - feel free to tell others of your experiences, but also let us have the opportunity of reply. I was interviewed for the NZ Herald article, but my voice was not heard. Is that balanced? Vicki stevevick@pctronix.net.nz

I am very glad to see some positive comments in the guestbook. I have been involved in the programme, I think I have done a good job, I have been happy there most of the time (who is, by the way, always happy everywhere ?), I had an experience that nobody else offered to me, I met wonderful people, I learnt that there are also some other ways of life, which being off mainstream will always be criticised. I see your homepage very unfair, obviously partial, full of twisted ideas and, in fact, narrow minded. How many people have enjoyed the experience, on what numbers it had a very positive influence, how many are committed and involved now ?? I have nothing to do with the teachers group, I am not engaged in any activities with Humana any more but I will always remember it as something greatly enriching my life. One of my friends from the school said: "this has been the best investment in my life". Think also of those... if you want to contact me, please: cri_spinoza@hotmail.com

I found out about the "One World Volunteers" programme through the careers centre at the university of Toronto. It sounded brilliant, until coming across this site. You should go to the press- at the very least, inform gullible universities and their students about the true nature of the programme.

nick woolnough  with_yourself@goplay.com

My warmest greetings and sympathy to all contributors of this site. I left DNS18 1 month before the final exams. I could no longer bare the impact of the TG on my team and I, who were not even a member. Erik Hijstee, ehijstee@hotmail.com

hi there read about the cult of TVIND in the new zealand herald here in new zealand it is unreal how such a group can wemerge in society and destroy ppls lives. claytonspoer@hotmail.com

I know, what it means to give up your family, your house, your past, photos, letters, everything personel, your time, your right to make decisions about your own life, read what is told you to read, watch in the tv, what is told you to watch, and to work all day and sometimes most of the night and be paid with a palce to live, something to eat and as few money as possible - all this to develope business all over the world and have your leaders living in luxery- you maybe have heard about this pattern from other cults, but I was in it for many years, and the struggle to get my life back, and my family is still going on. ELSE

Around 40,000 people - young and old, with different backgrounds, from all arund the world - have been pupils, students or participants at the so called Tvind schools in the last 30 years or so. On this page you have 10 "stories" from dissatisfied people. Very impressive. That means that 39,990 people enjoyed the experience.

I have been with Tvind for 10 years as a participant and as a teacher and project maneger in africa and Central America. I left the inner Circle of what is knowen to be called the teachers group and I do no not reconize anything og what you are writing.

TSL

From Kamila

Hi, I am Kamila from Czech and a few days ago I returned from Holsted. Instead of returning after one year I quit the school after six weeks because of many things for that I could not be part of this organization. It was very difficult decision if leave or not and all the information at your web site helped me a lot to make up my mind. Thank you a lot for that. Now I am back at home but still I did not give up and I want to do solidarity work although not with Tvind, of course. If you think I could help you somehow, e.g. writing you my own experience or contributing in other way to your web site, please let me know. I really don't want other people with good intention to get trapped.

From Else

Welcome to the fighters against Tvind. I know it very well from the inside. I was there for many years.

From web surfer

It looks really good, and I will read it through, because it seems to have information I'm interested in, structured very clearly too. I will spread the information about this site to other people I know are interested in the Tvind phenomenon. They, too, will find it very informative!

From Nathan Yue

Where to begin... I have just finished reading your entire web site and I find a lot of it quite disturbing. Why?, well I have just finished a program with IICD, aka "the cult". What you have to say is very shocking, closed minded, and disturbing.

For your information, no I'm not part of the Teachers Group and yes I am thinking for myself, and I'm not brainwashed. IICD has made an impact on my life. It has opened a door for me, for my future, and has created a new me. How? Well I volunteered in Nicaragua for six months after the preparation of five months. It was an experience of a life time.

Not only did I and eleven other volunteers help build a medical clinic, however we made life long friendships abroad. We didn't beg on the streets, live with the needy, and live off of the poor while we were trying to help them. After building the medical clinic we had five hundred dollars left over which we used to build a house for a needy family. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, we also fundraised three thousand dollars for hurricane relief as a result of Hurricane Mitch. For a "cult" I must say we did some great things for people. I guess to sum things up, what I'm trying to say is that the anti-Tvind group needs to keep your comments to yourself. Don't publicize your personal experiences and turn away potential volunteers. From my experience, IICD and all of it's sister schools is a wonderful opportunity for people. For one, it accepts anyone, anyone who is 18+ and who has graduated from high school. It was difficult to find a volunteer group without having a degree in college because I had just graduated from high school. SO PLEASE STOP SENDING THESE MESSAGES OUT TO PEOPLE.

Again, from my point of view, these are personal experiences that went wrong. People need to experience this for themselves, some people are just not cut out for this type of work... as far as disclosing information, IICD didn't hide it in the least bit.. they have a notebook full of newspaper articles criticizing IICD and it's other schools. so as far as being secluded from the media, truth, and that sort, that's not true. GO AND SEE FOR YOURSELF, BE A SPY, GO TO AN ORIENTATION, ASK ABOUT THIS NOTEBOOK, AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE WHAT YOU REQUEST. The truth is out there, they have nothing to hide, they're honest. I've run out of things to say. I love IICD and will continue to recommend the NGO to anyone who wishes to volunteer in a Third World Country. I hope you include my message in your web site, don't disclose the truth, let people read this. Don't be a hipacrit (excuse the spelling) and let people read and decide for themselves. Feel free to respond, you've got my address. Sincerely, Nate ("Chino", my name in Nicaragua)