The White Saviors

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True Crime
**The White Saviors**

Over 25 years, WE built a golden brand by inspiring children to rally around their charismatic leader. But behind the scenes, employees experienced a cult-like culture and a troubling blur of charitable and commercial activities. In the aftermath of a national scandal, thousands of donors and volunteers (and dozens of ‘celebrity ambassadors’) are left wondering where the money went, and whether the savior industry creates a constant need for victims.

From CANADALAND, the news company that exposed it all, this is the exclusive story of a charity that did well when it was supposed to be doing good.

Narrated by Olusola Adeogun.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Latest Episodes:

(Ratf****r) Chapter One: The Klondike Papers Oct 31, 2022

Meet David Wallace, political fixer and dirty tricks operative.

After a career in the shadows, he’s turned whistleblower, leaking his files and sparking a conspiracy theory.

But why? And can he be trusted?

Written and reported by Jesse Brown and Cherise Seucharan

Audio editing and sound design by Tristan Capacchione

Original music by Nathan Burley

Additional music by Audio Network

Editorial Assistance by Sarah Lawrynuik

Executive Producer, Jesse Brown

To listen to the rest of the limited series, subscribe to Ratf****r here: https://link.chtbl.com/eqcLpftC

To hear all of Ratfucker now, plus bonus content, support Canadaland by going to: https://canadaland.com/join

If you value this podcast, please support us. We rely on listeners like you paying for journalism. As a supporter, you’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on Canadaland merch, invites and tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis and you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. Come join us now, click the link in your show notes or go to https://canadaland.com/join

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Introducing our new series: Ratfucker Oct 27, 2022

Meet David Wallace, political fixer. After decades in the game he says he’s getting out, telling all, and dumping his files in public. The result is the viral "Klondike Papers" theory of conspiracies, conservatives, and cults. But are the allegations true? And why is he really implicating himself, and so many others? A wild, true story.

Series launches October 31st.

Subscribe now (link).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UPDATE (September, 2021) Sep 21, 2021

What's up with the WE Organization now? An update on recent developments.

Further reading:

WE Charity planned to move to the United States. (link)

WE Kenya country director Carolyn Moraa's blog (link)

The Twitter campaign against The White Saviors (link)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chapter Five - The Bottom Line Sep 13, 2021

Chapter Four - Crimes In Kenya Sep 06, 2021

Kenya was the jewel in the crown of the WE Organization's global empire. It's where they took celebrities and CEOs for life-changing "experiences" with needy children, followed by stays in their 5-star luxury beach resort. It's also where WE co-founder Marc Kielburger hired a private security firm staffed by an ex-Israeli military operative and a Sri Lankan fugitive to deal with Kenyan employees who he thought were robbing or blackmailing him. They in turn accused Marc of kidnapping them and financial misconduct. This is an explosive tale of death threats, bribery and corruption in a country where WE was supposed to be helping.

Music by Audio Network

****

Official responses from The WE Organization:

Claims by Peter Ruhiu

Peter Ruhiu has a history of making false statements. In fact, Mr. Ruhiu’s employment with Free The Children Kenya was terminated in 2018 after financial irregularities were discovered by the charity during a spot audit. WE dismissed Mr. Ruhiu, who made a full confession and returned the misappropriated funds. He was criminally charged by Kenyan authorities and has also plead guilty to falsifying a police report.

Phone recording of Peter Ruhiu

Mr. Kielburger was acting in cooperation with the authorities in the conduct of this investigation, as has been documented by various third parties. Moreover, it is evident when listening to the recording that Marc Kielburger initiated the call, noting the date and time, prior to calling Mr. Peter Ruhiu. We have submitted documentation to Canadaland that clearly confirms these facts, including a statement by Michelle Hambly, a Canadian national, who is Mr. Ruhiu’s ex-wife. We also shared with Canadaland extensive supporting documentation including an independent report from the external international agency that was involved in the investigation as well as an independent report from the former Directorate of Criminal Investigations supporting these facts.

Claims by Mr. Kimakeke

Mr. Kimakeke posted a blog for a few days with false materials, accompanied by a solicitation for reader donation/funds. Mr. Kimakeke removed the blogpost five days later, with a statement on the same blogsite renouncing his claims. Mr. Kimakeke has multiple times made false claims, and multiple times renounced those claims. An affidavit signed by Satani Kimakeke was previously provided to Canadaland, dated October 7th, 2020. In it, Mr. Kimakeke said under oath that he had fabricated his past claims about Marc Kielburger. Mr. Kimakeke specifically said “I told Jesse Brown on July 6th, 2020, prior to publication of the information on the Canadaland web site on these matters, that the claims about Marc Kielburger and WE Charity is, in fact, false” …, “however, Jesse Brown published the false information anyways. I also explained to Jesse Brown on Twitter the information was incorrect. He did not modify his reporting or take down false information”.

WE Charity’s responses to Canadaland’s previous questions:

2018 investigation: https://www.canadaland.com/all-of-wes-answers-to-canadaland-and-letters-from-their-lawyers/

2019 investigation:

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21044335-we-responses-to-canadaland-2019?responsive=1&title=1

WE.org Transparency page:

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Chapter Three - The Halo Effect Aug 30, 2021

Chapter Two – The Cult of Kielburger Aug 23, 2021

Chapter One – The Children's Crusade Aug 20, 2021

Craig Kielburger was the Greta Thunberg of the 90s – a 12 year-old kid from the suburbs who dreamed of freeing the world’s children from slavery. His activism made him famous, and he was endorsed by Oprah, the Pope, the Queen, and the Clintons. His campaign became a global movement and a powerful brand.

But right from the start, there were uncomfortable questions about money and exploitation. Decades later, it all came crashing down. But the seeds of WE’s self-destruction were planted right from the start…

Official responses from WE:

According to the WE Organization: neither the WE Organization nor Marc or Craig Kielburger have ever been investigated by a law enforcement agency, currently or in the past.

The WE Organization maintains that all financial transactions between its various entities, both charitable and for-profit, have followed all applicable laws.

In his libel claim against Saturday Night Magazine: Craig Kielburger said that the article was false and led people to wrongly believe he was keeping the money for himself. According to a reported statement by a Free the Children accountant, donations made prior to the organization becoming a registered charity were deposited in a separate bank account, and the group was being run as a charity pending Revenue Canada’s approval of its application.

2018 investigation:

https://www.canadaland.com/all-of-wes-answers-to-canadaland-and-letters-from-their-lawyers/

2019 investigation:

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21044335-we-responses-to-canadaland-2019?responsive=1&title=1

Further reading:

Canadaland’s reporting on WE Charity: https://www.canadaland.com/?s=we+charity

The WE Charity story, according to WE:

https://www.we.org/en-CA/about-we/we-charity/our-story

WE.org Transparency page:

https://www.we.org/en-CA/transparency-reporting/we-charity

WE.org Financials page:

https://www.we.org/en-CA/about-we/we-charity/governance/

ME to WE Transparency page:

https://www.we.org/en-CA/transparency-reporting/me-to-we

Music by Audio Network

This episode contains source materials used under the Fair Dealing provisions of the Copyright Act.

Sources:

It Takes a Child

Craig Kielburger’s Story – A Journey into Child Labour

Directed by Judy Jackson

Produced by Judy Films

Youtube

The Story of Craig Kielburger

produced, and narrated by Sherine Mansour

CPAC

Youtube

In Search Of Character

LiveWire Media

Elkind+Sweet Communications, Inc

https://www.livewiremedia.com/product/in-search-of-character/

The Price WE Paid

The Fifth Estate/CBC

Interview with Craig...

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trailer Aug 11, 2021

Over 25 years, WE built a golden brand by inspiring children to rally around their charismatic leader. But behind the scenes, employees experienced a cult-like culture and a troubling blur of charitable and commercial activities. In the aftermath of a national scandal, thousands of donors and volunteers (and dozens of ‘celebrity ambassadors’) are left wondering where the money went, and whether the savior industry creates a constant need for victims. From CANADALAND, the news company that exposed it all, this is the exclusive story of a charity that did well when it was supposed to be doing good.

Subscribe to The White Saviors now! Series launch: August 23

*****

Editor’s Note: WE Charity, its founders and related entities have notified Canadaland that they intend to sue Canadaland because they contend that the trailer and press release concerning The White Saviors podcast contain “baseless allegations”.

You can read their “Libel Notice” here and their detailed response to the trailer and press release here. Canadaland reminds listeners that the White Saviors trailer and press release provide a summaries of the information and allegations that will be fully explained in the podcast series, including WE’s responses to the allegations.

*****

This trailer contains source materials used under the Fair Dealing provisions of the Copyright Act.

Sources:

It Takes a Child

Craig Kielburger's Story - A Journey into Child Labour

Directed by Judy Jackson

Produced by Judy Films

Youtube

The Story of Craig Kielburger

produced, and narrated by Sherine Mansour

CPAC

Youtube

In Search Of Character

LiveWire Media

Elkind+Sweet Communications, Inc

https://www.livewiremedia.com/product/in-search-of-character/

The Price WE Paid

The Fifth Estate/CBC

Interview with Craig Kielburger

CSPAN

Craig Kielburger NSB Speakers promotional video

Youtube

Marc Kielburger NSB Speakers promotional video

Youtube

WE Movement Youtube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm6agaIkn5aBJlLLds7P1HQ

MeToWe Youtube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm6agaIkn5aBJlLLds7P1HQ

CTV News - Kielburger brothers interview with Lisa Laflamme

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_p5PRLy2os

MTV Cribs: Craig Kielburger Episode

Haddon Strategy

https://vimeo.com/49975157

Editor’s Note (August 20, 2021): WE Charity, its founders and related entities have notified Canadaland that they intend to sue Canadaland because they contend that the trailer and press release for The White Saviors contain “baseless allegations”.

You can read a copy of their Libel Notice

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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