Humana People-to-People Alert - about us

Subject: Awesome website

Date: 27 January 2007

From: BJ

Message: i was thinking about going to africa with humanan and i found ur
website. im sure glad i did cuz i wouldnt want to be involved in that :(
there are two things ur website doesnt look good using firefox  included
a screen shot also i want to send u some $$$ as thank you will it go
back to your investigacion or just into ur beer fund lolz either way is
fine wit me. greetz, BJ.

ps i wanted to send a copy with a screen foto but it didn't work so u
will have to take my word

Subject: Former Volunteer at Winestead Hall

Date: 31st August 2006

From: MF

Message: Dear tvindalert, I have with interest read your website tvind, paticuliarly on the subject concerning winestead hall. I was a volunteer at the place in the period august 89-feb90. I was working under terrible conditons and ended up running in the middle of the night. I don´t mind telling my story yet i would prefer to remain anonymous. Also i have attended the travelling folk high school in Vamdrup. MF

Subject: Humana in Casablanca

Date: 25 May 06

From: Abdessamad Laghrani, Morocco

Message: Good day, I need contact with Humana People, specially with Teacher Group member, her name is TONE KVAESTAD from Norway, she was working with me several years in Casablanca , Morocco. If you have any information about her, tell her that I need to meet her in one the corner of the world. Her friend  woman is Gertrude Corsten, Danish woman. Many thanks to you. Mr Abdessamad LAGHRANI consulting in transport, mobile phone: 00 212 63 870 902. Casablanca. Email: safarisaharra@hotmail.com.

Subject: Friends Forever

From: Danish journalism contact (name withheld by Tvind Alert)

Message: The identity of Jesper Friis and his connection to Tvind is further confirmed here and here.

Subject: Butterfly McQueen

Date: 22 May 06

From: Contact in Sydney, Australia (name withheld by Tvind Alert)

Message: The yacht, now simply called BMQ, is in Woolwich Dock in Sydney. The Dock is now in State Government hands as one of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust properties.

Subject: Australian Tvind Members

Date: 06 May 06

From: Name withheld by Humana Alert

Message: Hello, please be sure that Henry HENNING also know as Henning Bjornlund and his wife now known as Vibeke Bjornlund are not forgotten in the hunt to find culprits. He has admitted his involvement.  He now lives in Adelaide South Australia. In fact he lives in a country town near Eudunda.

Subject: Tvind is an embarrassment to Denmark

Date: 06 june 05

From: 'K'

Message: I am a Danish national living in Oregon, USA. I have been living here since 1990. I grew up in Herning, Denmark and attended the original Tvind school as a young man in the mid 70’s. Although I was only there for a week, and my age was between 10-12 years old, I have always had a funny feeling and odd memories about the ‘political indoctrination’ I received and the experience I had.

Politically, I now consider myself a conservative and therefore I am very intrigued with the story of how Tvind began as an ‘idealistic Marxist commune’ and turned into a ‘corrupt global business empire’. Currently I am attempting to do some research on a book that will deal with that particular aspect.

Anyway, I believe that some American internet companies offer inexpensive or free web hosting. Yahoo.com is about $11.95 per month; although I do not know the size of the website space you are allotted.

I appreciate your time and wish you much success in this particular endeavor. In my humble opinion, Tvind is an embarrassment to the Denmark and the Danish people

Subject: Poland

Date: 16 Jan 05

From: Han

Message: They are already in Poland. I'm sure about, because guy that is starting that in Poland was calling me and proposing to join him. I know what is Humana and I said no! And I know also that guy. His name is Sebastian Męcfal. In the past he was managing by non- profit organisation and the result was very fatal. I read about in newspaper. I found it for you, but sorry, I can not translate_ I have not time.

Don't sleep! They are here!

Subject: Small School at Red House, UK

Date: before May 2005

From: Name witheld

Message: Dear Tvind Alert! I was a member of the teachers group for two years and worked at The Small School at Winestead hall. I quit two years before the school shut down. It has taken me many years to realise that the school and the older members of the teachers group had two agendas... I had no idea of Amdi Petersen and all of the bad things.... I was 24 and did my best as a teacher for 8 students that were very very difficult. I feel very bad about this today because I feel that these kids deserved something much better, and I feel very sad when I think about my collegues. I want so much to have things explained to me... and I want to talk to Steen Thompson, who was the headmaster. I realy feel that I want to talk to him about our time together, and the work we did, and about the kids. Because somethings was also good.... I don't want to feel that all we did was bad... for the kids. So please if you know how I can get in contact with him, I would be much grateful.

Best regards

[name withheld]

Subject: Volunteering in Mozambique

Date: 01 Aug 04

From: 'V'

Message: Hello.

I have recently returned from a volunteer period in Mozambique with Humana People to People. Although I can say that my experience in Africa was a wonderful experience, I can in the same breath say that none of the credit is due to the organization I was working with. Throughout my seven month (my time was extended because we were unable to raise funds by deadline) stint with Humana I was appalled with absolutely every aspect of the program, from the fundraising to the training. Disorganization, carelessness, and a general incompetence became the rule instead of the exception.

But, I continued until I had raised enough money to begin my second period at a teacher training college. I am very proud of the work that I, and my fellow volunteers accomplished. The teachers and students I worked with were bright and determined. 

That is why it is so revolting to me that these people are being taken advantage of so blatently. Although during my fundraising period I was infuriated with what I was being asked to do, it did not compare to the anger that I left with after seeing people my own age in a third world country struggling to pay for an education which I am convinced they were not recieving. Classes were cancelled so that the students could cut grass by hand, there were no computers (as is advertised to potential donors), the students had no way to contact their families some of which they hadn't seen in over a year, the week consisted of 6 days which began at 5 in the morning and concluded at 10 pm.

The teachers at the school had taken their jobs based on the promise of the opportunity to attend university after two years of service. Almost all of the teachers have completed their service, some of them working up to four years, and none of them have realized their dream of continuing their education. 

It became apparent to me that the 'projects' were not at all what these people deserve. They have become a curse instead of a blessing. The same way that volunteers feel trapped because of their financial investment, the students and teachers are trapped inside a dream that has become a nightmare.

But I'm sure none of this is news to you.

The reason that I am contacting you is because I plan to continue my work against Humana. In one month I will return to Mozambique to take a position with a company. Part of my reason for accepting this job is to fight against the injustices which I experienced first hand. I was moved by the spirit of the Mozambicans and I can't walk away from my friends there who deserve an opportunity.

I would like to ask you for any contacts you may have or suggestions regarding anyone who would be moved to help me in an effort to look at the possibility of informing the government of Mozambique about the realities of the 'aid' they are receiving, and develop viable alternatives to the Humana People to People movement.

At the least, it is necessary to have someone giving firsthand accounts of the projects, and submitting stories from the Africans who are willing to speak out, because I have found, although many still have fear, there is a voice that is beinning to rise from the Mozambicans in the projects, and it is loud, and it is finally ready to be heard.

Thank you for your consideration.

Subject: Bustrup School

Date: December 2001

From: Nicky Klomp

Message: To whom it may concern. When I first saw your website, I thought what a load of crap, but after quitting the school at Bustrup last week, and everything that has happened in between, I now believe your information presented. I wish I had seen this site before joining Humana. Nicky Klomp.

Subject: Humana meeting

From: Brittany

Message: To Whom It May Concern.

My name is Brittany and I have recently attended a Humana meeting. I had a private interview and right away they offered to pay for everything if I could be there in two weeks. There was one cost the $250 AMERICAN. I'am Canadian so it was $380 dollars. It was very overwhelming and they needed to know right away. So I agreed and signed their contract and payed the fee.

However at the meeting there was a man in his 50s and he came up to me afterwards, and gave me this web sight and said "Look at this before making any rash decisions. " I never had time to look at your web page before my personell interview

Now I ave decided against doing this program. I hope I can get my money back. Thank you. You saved me from making a huge mistake. I'm nineteen years old and could have wasted five years of my life. Keep up the good work. I will make sure to let my community know about this program and what it does to people. I hope I can find a honest program to work and volunteer for. I hope that the public becomes more aware . They know how to manipulate young people and need to be exposed everywhere.

Subject: CICD Winestead School

Date:

From: Adele

Message: I write to tell you about my experience with CICD, Winestead, Hull, UK; this
is a brief synopsis.

A friend of mine who lives in Hull but who works with me saw an advert in the
Hull Daily Mail newspaper round about August 2001, saying simply "Volunteers
wanted for Africa" and contact details - nothing more, nothing less. I sent
an e-mail and heard nothing in reply, but because I was really interested in
what might be on offer I rang the organisation in Denmark and got myself down
as an attendee at an information weekend for the end of August. We were given
some details of the organisation, a lot of focus on the positive side of what
CICD can do for us as an individual and what we can then do for people in
Africa. It was mentioned by the principal, Karen Boerse, that DRH/Tvind et al
had received some bad press but that we should take no notice of it if we
came across what had been written/said. How we should have listened to this!!
To cut a long story short, I was aked to go to Denmark and start a programme
the following week, but personal circumstance dictated that this was an
impossibility for me...it was flattering though. What did surprise me was the
attitude towards people who wanted to sign up but who were short of immediate
funds - Karen was offering to drive them into Hull, to a cash-point, and
asking if they had an overdraft facility they could use. Are they really that
desperate for students or just desperate to get cash out of people? And on
the Sunday morning we had to wash the windows of some buildings in
preparation for one of the teams that would soon be starting there...a sign
of things to come?

I recently found myself in a position to go ahead with a programme (albeit I
would have to give up my full-time job and company car) and cast the doubts
out of my mind - after all, they promised so much before, surely they have
the means to deliver. In January of this year I went back to see Karen and
enrolled through CICD with the KNEC at Durban - I was warned that the school
had teething problems because it was essentially relatively new and the staff
there were still learning the best ways to run the college and students, and
that they were selective in who could enrol for the school because of these
difficulties. However, I had a cheque book with me so I got enrolled straight
away, signed the forms, paid the money (GBP115 with the promise to pay
R20,000 on arrival in S Africa). I queried some details about travel/medical
insurance; Karen didn't have the answers but promised to get back to me. I
left, happy with my decision to leave my job, family, friends and go to
Africa for 14 months.

I had checked the internet before I went to CICD in January but it's a big
mine of information and I did not find the Tvindalert site. However, excited
about going to Africa, I tried searching for KNEC on the 'net now that I knew
I was going there, with interesting results. I should mention that at this
point I had e-mailed Karen Boerse regarding the insurance, she e-mailed back
that she was going to bed and would get back to me, and I haven't heard from
her since. I also e-mailed the principal (Ester) at KNEC to ask about any
entry requirements I might need to meet to go to S Africa - she also
e-mailed, to say she wasn't sure but considering some international students
that she had had there it should "be a piece of cake for me"; she would check
and get back to me...surprise, surprise she never did.

Not daunted - but a little annoyed - by the lack of answers to my questions,
I was searching on the 'net for KNEC and saw Laslo's Story as a link - I
wasn't going to read it because I expected it to be just another story about
how great a time someone was having as a Development Instructor...but
something made me click on it and I am so glad that I did. I couldn't believe
what I was reading about the college at Durban - oh, I believed what was
being written but it was nothing like the spiel I had been given whilst I was
paying my money over to enrol there!!! You know what the story says so I
won't repeat it, and I went on to read the other personal testimonies and
many other areas of the Tvind Alert site. I can't sum up what I felt, on
first reading, for those people who had suffered already but I knew that I
wasn't about to follow in their footsteps. I'd already had my doubts about
why my questions weren't being answered - just a gut feeling that something
didn't ring true. Now I had some answers.

I have, over the course of the last few days, sent the same e-mail to Karen
and Ester, essentially stating that I had read reports about the charge of
fraud, that this hadn't been disclosed at the time of my enrolment, and that
I wanted my money back. I also made mention that I was not happy about the
lack of responses to my questions. I did not receive any reply at all. I
forwarded the same e-mail to the same people and this time Ester replied.
After a couple of e-mails between the two of us Ester said that because I had
enrolled through CICD I should be pursuing the matter with Karen, and "a
contract is still a contract". Fortunately, I am not some 17 year old on
their gap year, happy to belive their lies - I am aware of when a contract is
or isn't binding, and I totally believe theirs falls into the latter category
- had I been told about the fraud charge I wouldn't have paid a penny, let
alone £115.00, and would not have proceeded with the enrolment.

Anyway, Ester wasn't present at the enrolment in January so she isn't aware
of what was said - in a way I am surprised that she reponded to the e-mail.
On the other hand, I have heard absolutely nothing from Karen at Winestead. I
have again sent the original e-mail to her for a third time today (the one
where I first asked for my money back), but in all honesty I expect her to
play dumb. So, what shall I do now? I don't know if you can help, but you
have much more experience with these people than I do - what do you think my
chances are of getting my money back, just by asking politely? And if I don't
get it back, I want people to know that this organisation is still very much
alive and kicking in a small corner of England.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this, regards and thanks for the
website,

Adele

Subject: Recruitment in Canada

Date:

From: Joshua

Message: Thank you so much for your web site.   I was very interested in the Humana People to People organization.   They sent me an e-mail saying they were having an information meeting in  a city about 4.5 hours away by bus or train. So I decided I would confirm that they were legit and that they actually had booked the library before I went. After all, it would cost me money just to go see their info meeting. No way I was going without knowing they were legit first. First, I called the Library they claimed they would be at. And they told me no such organization as "Humana People  to People" was  booked for that date. So I searched the web, and one of the first few hits on Alta Vista was your web site.   I haven't read through all your information, yet,  but as far as I am concerned, if there is any type of controversy around this group about  them being a cult, I won't even participate in the smallest way. I'll  find out more, but I'm already convinced. Their information goes right  into the trash pile.  Thank you for your very informative web site. My own natural suspicions  led me to check you out, and you saved me from squandering my money. I can only imagine what might happen to the more gullible people in the world, the ones who don't have any amount of  mistrust as all humans should. A little mistrust is good, I can see. A big thank you once again.   Joshua, Canada

Subject: Studying in Denmark

Date:

From: Miranda

Message:

Dear Tvind Alert

Firstly, thankyou thankyou thankyou for alerting me to the dangers of Tvind. I am an ex-Solidarity Worker who like the others, felt that things were dodgy around the school I was studying at in Denmark, and then found your website and decided to come back home. In the future, I would like to add to your website. However, there are a couple of suggestions that I would like to make, that could possibly improve the communication between those who are considering joining Tvind, and the warning that you are trying to make. 1. Would it be possible to make a search site linking the words Humana (and the other names that Tvind trades under) to www.tvindalert.com? 2. Has anything been done to stop the advertising of Humana (such as the ad titled 'Volunteers Needed For Africa' in TNT that I saw) and Info Meetings that happen in universities throughout the UK? I would like to write to them and try and stop them from supporting Humana People To People, but obviously need to know if this is already underway. I have only been home from Denmark for a week, but would like to spend more time working on these things. I look forward to hearing a reply from you soon.    Miranda

Subject: Stina Herberg

Date:

From: A boyfriend

Message: My girlfriend had been very keen as she has always wanted to work in Africa and she had seen this as a dream come true, she had been in email contact with a girl called Stina Herberg. Her friend however had been in contact with a humana member called Peter who had made them both a bit suspicious as he would phone her every day in the week preceeding the first meeting. I've mailed my girlfriend extracts from your site and she has decided not to go, thank you.

 

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