The Worst Podcast

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 ChildCraig Kielburger's Story - A Journey into Child LabourDirected by Judy JacksonProduced by Judy FilmsYoutubeThe Story of Craig Kielburgerproduced, and narrated by Sherine MansourCPACYoutubeIn Search Of CharacterLiveWire MediaElkind+Sweet Communications, Inchttps://www.livewiremedia.com/product/in-search-of-character/The Price WE PaidThe Fifth Estate/CBCInterview with Craig KielburgerCSPANCraig Kielburger NSB Speakers promotional videoYoutubeMarc Kielburger NSB Speakers promotional videoYoutubeWE Movement Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm6agaIkn5aBJlLLds7P1HQMeToWe Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm6agaIkn5aBJlLLds7P1HQCTV News - Kielburger brothers interview with Lisa Laflammehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_p5PRLy2osMTV Cribs: Craig Kielburger EpisodeHaddon Strategyhttps://vimeo.com/49975157Editor’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.

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=1Further reading:Canadaland’s reporting on WE Charity: https://www.canadaland.com/?s=we+charityThe WE Charity story, according to WE: https://www.we.org/en-CA/about-we/we-charity/our-storyWE.org Transparency page:https://www.we.org/en-CA/transparency-reporting/we-charityWE.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-weMusic by Audio NetworkThis episode contains source materials used under the Fair Dealing provisions of the Copyright Act.Sources:It Takes a ChildCraig Kielburger’s Story – A Journey into Child LabourDirected by Judy JacksonProduced by Judy FilmsYoutubeThe Story of Craig Kielburgerproduced, and narrated by Sherine MansourCPACYoutubeIn Search Of CharacterLiveWire MediaElkind+Sweet Communications, Inchttps://www.livewiremedia.com/product/in-search-of-character/The Price WE PaidThe Fifth Estate/CBCInterview with Craig... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kids in 17,000 schools have been encouraged to take the WE Pledge, join the WE movement, and “Live WE.” But what does that really mean? In practice, it has meant fundraising for WE, paying the Kielburgers’ private company for a “voluntourism” trip, going to work for WE, and living in communal WE housing. According to many of those who lived WE, it meant joining an organization very much like a “cult.”Music by Audio Network**********Official responses from WE:With regards to child labour, WE Charity has said“WE Charity’s commitment to ending child labour is evident and beyond reproach based on more than 20 years of dedication to working with the poorest children and families around the world.”When asked about its partnerships, the WE Organization has said: “We recognize that no company is ‘perfect,’ but we take a 360-analysis to determine the overall socially responsible practices of the business. We take our vetting process seriously and have frequently declined/halted pursuit of partnerships because they do not align with our values… We are dedicated to adhering to our strict vetting process, even in cases where the opportunity cost has been millions of dollars.”The WE Charity story, according to WE: https://www.we.org/en-CA/about-we/we-charity/our-storyWE Charity’s responses to Canadaland’s 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=1WE.org Transparency page:https://www.we.org/en-CA/transparency-reporting/we-charityWE.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-weFurther reading:Canadaland’s reporting on WE Charity: https://www.canadaland.com/?s=we+charityThis episode contains source materials used under the Fair Dealing provisions of the Copyright Act.Sources:Guelph Politicasthttps://guelphpolitico.ca/2020/08/19/guelph-politicast-234-we-a-personal-story/It Takes a ChildCraig Kielburger’s Story – A Journey into Child LabourDirected by Judy JacksonProduced by Judy FilmsYoutubeThe Story of Craig Kielburgerproduced, and narrated by Sherine MansourCPACYoutubeIn Search Of CharacterLiveWire MediaElkind+Sweet Communications, Inc Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the age of “corporate social responsibility,” giant corporations are tired of looking like the bad guys. Microsoft, Dow Chemical, Allstate Insurance, Hershey's, Teck Mining – these companies were used to being blamed and boycotted. But by donating to WE Charity, they got more than tax benefits - they got a whole new PR strategy. This is the story of how WE turned virtue into a commodity, and sold it to the world’s biggest companies. But at what point does a charity become a marketing firm?Music by Audio Network****Official responses from The WE Organization:Canadaland asked WE about the allegation that it promised to inoculate one child every time the WE365 app was downloaded, despite having no plan to connect those two things. The WE Organization responded:“Given WE Charity’s 20+ year history of supporting medical programs, and with well-documented photos and description of partnership with government health agencies (HERE), and hundreds of global medical practitioners who participated in medical programs, we can confirm with confidence that our vaccine campaigns were successful and that all funds raised for our inoculation programs went directly to helping children as intended.”Canadaland asked WE about the allegation that it “invented” impact numbers (usage statistics) for the WE365 app. The WE Organization responded with this answer about the app’s download numbers:“The WE365 app and its impact were clearly tracked and measured - to suggest otherwise would be false. There was nothing subjective about it. When someone downloaded the app and became a user, the information was tracked by the APP store. The TELUS team, who were very hands on in the program deliverables, also had direct access to all of the data. There would be no reason or means for anyone to “invent” anything.”With regards to child labour, WE Charity has said:“WE Charity’s commitment to ending child labour is evident and beyond reproach based on more than 20 years of dedication to working with the poorest children and families around the world.”When asked about its partnerships, the WE Organization has said: “We recognize that no company is ‘perfect,’ but we take a 360-analysis to determine the overall socially responsible practices of the business. We take our vetting process seriously and have frequently declined/halted pursuit of partnerships because they do not align with our values… We are dedicated to adhering to our strict vetting process, even in cases where the opportunity cost has been millions of dollars.”The WE Charity story, according to WE: https://www.we.org/en-CA/about-we/we-charity/our-storyWE Charity’s responses to Canadaland’s questions:2018 investigation: https://www.canadaland.com/all-of-wes-answers-to-canadaland-and-letters-from-their-lawyers/2019 investigation: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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=1WE.org Transparency page: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.