The International Humanity Foundation (IHF)
Trip Start
Mar 18, 2009
1
5
11
Trip End
May 14, 2009
Nakuru, Kenya
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
We are writing you this letter to share a set of facts about the International Humanity Foundation (IHF) with you, a set that especially concerns their Nakuru Center in Kenya. However, we must admit that we will concentrate on the dominant negative aspects, rather than the positive ones, which have been outlined on various websites in detail. The professional design of the IHF website (www.ihfonline.org) and the fact that there are insufficient amounts of critical commentary on the web caused every single one of us to be deceived. All of us had the best intentions in joining IHF. Helping the poor, donating our time and money for a good cause, learning about the poor... We are certain that you do too. Just like yours, our major problem was the lack of information. Please review the list of issues below carefully. We do not want you to suffer the intense disappointment that every one of us and many before us have had.
GENERAL ISSUES REGARDING IHF:
IHF has collected money for projects that do not exist. Although there are 6 sponsored classes on the website, there had been no class taught at the Nakuru Center, at least for the past 4 months. An externality of this dire fact is that volunteers could not do what they came here for, to teach that is. The Survival program (animal donations) has been sharing the same fate as the classes, at least for the past 3 months. Since December '08, more than USD 8,000 has been donated for the purchase of 200 goats, 180 chickens, 6 camels and 5 cows, of which none were bought, at least until the end of April.
IHF has redundant policies, which officers defend zealously. We emailed the head of Donated Hours stating that it did not make sense for us to do 4 international hours (fund-raising through generic emails) every day, since we did not have internet access at the center and since there were so many fundamental issues that had to be tackled on-sight. In return, we were offered no explanation and were told that we would be asked to leave if we did not complete them. Moreover, an officer was complaining about the Blackberry bill. We told her that kids were caught playing games on it. We added that it made more sense to buy a broadband modem and cancel the Blackberry, as it would be easier to monitor the kids and as volunteers needed to do their international hours. In an excessively imperative tone, we were told that the Blackberry was to stay. The officer felt that an explanation was not necessary.
The lack of organization and the lack of professionalism is mind-blowing. Nobody seems to know anything and it is a grand puzzle to figure out who has the more reliable information, if any actually do. For instance, the Sponsor Letters Team kept asking for letters from kids who had not been at the Center for some months. We received an email from one of the officers asking us to go to Pokot (where most of our kids are from) and buy hundreds of animals, yet nobody could tell us whom was to receive the animals and when the necessary funds would be wired etc.
GENERAL ISSUES REGARDING THE CENTER:
The Nakuru Center does not even have a government license, because it does not meet the "Kenyan" requirements. The Children's Department was planning to shut down the Center until renovations took place, the land was properly fenced and there was a 1:1 bed to child ratio. Instead of undertaking these vital projects, IHF responded by asking a high-ranking local government contact to intervene. The Children's Department changed its mind instantaneously.
The Center neither has a mailbox nor a phone number. Many government officials carry the suspicion that this is a con organization. This is precisely why the post office has told us that they will not hand over the next donation parcel that we receive, until we become the owner of our own mailbox. Moreover, we never had phone numbers for IHF officers.
The Center is dangerous. Last week, a drunk man with a machete paid us a visit and bullied us. After we had no choice but to give him the money, he trespassed through our land and out of the main gate. The guard just watched. Both the volunteers'/staff's and the kids' lives are in danger.
Even when there is a slight disagreement with a volunteer or staff, the respective person is automatically threatened with being kicked out. When top management is serious about a person's leaving, they do not even give the person 24 hours to leave. Threats to send the police over follow.
FINANCIAL ISSUES:
The Center is under-funded. Current fencing could not prevent anyone from entering the premises. It is difficult to distinguish the buildings from ruins; half of the kitchen building has been taken over by rats; one of the four buildings is in such bad shape that it is impossible to use it without a thorough renovation. Windows are broken; toilets leak; many locks are missing. Kids eat the same food every day; most of the week they only get tea for breakfast. There is not enough personnel to take care of the younger kids; hence they play in dirt all day long, like street children. Younger children always wear torn up clothes and do not even have a ball to play with etc.
The insufficient amount of money that officers sent for the month of April, came in late. There were days when there was no money to feed the kids.
When the Director asked for monthly funds, first an officer made various excuses, including asking for all the sponsor letters when all have already been sent and stating that her month starts on the 10th although she had sent money on the 4th the previous month. Then, the officer demanded a 13-year-old to approve the director's budget. It is bogus as to who supervises whom. The kids or the staff/volunteers?
Due to irregular dates of payment, the staff could not pay their expenses for April on time. Hence, volunteers had to loan them money so that they could pay their rents.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES:
IHF is not the legal guardian of all of the kids living at the Center. Most of these kids are not orphans.
When we first came, there was not even a list of all the kids living here. IHF neither knew the exact number of children, nor their exact names.
Child pregnancy is a major issue at the Nakuru Center. Due to insufficient supervision, there have been at least 2 child pregnancies in the past 2 years. In both cases, the mother and the father have been residents of the Center. Baby Caro's mother was 13 when she gave birth.
The older kids are disrespectful, because an officer encourages them to report on the staff whenever a staff member does something that the children do not like. For example, if a staff member attempts to enforce some disciplinary rules her punishment may be getting fired. Consequently, the children experience a free-fall, which makes them not only disrespectful but also spoiled.
Exit strategies do not exist. Once the kids reach the age of 18 they need to leave the Center, as mandated by the government. However, when they reach this stage, their only options are returning to their families in one of the least-developed districts of Kenya, namely Pokot, or pacing the streets of a larger city.
We wish you better luck than what we have had,
Anonymous ex-Director, Nakuru Center
Anonymous ex-Sponsor and ex-Volunteer, helianthus@live.com.
Murat Bilgincan, ex-Volunteer, muratcan@aya.yale.edu.
Janika Tamm, ex-Volunteer, smily6@hot.ee.
Comments
Work for CHILDREN!!!
I am a volunteer of the IHF I am very happy to belong to this organization. I have studied business administration and now I am working in the business sector. But I always had a feeling that I should do something different, something more creative, more useful, more spiritual. The organization gave me this opportunity. The phrase written in the Website of IHF ('IHF strives to educate the poor and to teach the educated about the poor') describes very clearly the IHF mission. Thanks to this organization every day I learn something from other volunteers and coordinators. Everyday I learn about poverty, I learn about social issues and importance of Education for the poor CHILDREN - it´s something I never realized that exists.
Every day I learn to love and to care!
If you like hanging out with your friends... invite a friend to volunteer with you.
Volunteer Source: www.ihfonline.org
We have many opportunities for volunteers. If you're interested or talented in a specific area, we most likely can use you! IHF is proud to work amongst various faiths and backgrounds.
Raj
You are doing more harm than good with your scathing attack on IHF. My daughter has volunteered twice there. Once in 2007 when it was basic but the children well cared for. She is there now, There is a lot to commend the work they are doing there. I am angry at most of what you say and wish to take time to comment. Andy maybe I wil........its interesting that two of the posters of this are too cowardly to add their names.
Direct an Orphanage in Kenya
The International Humanity Foundation is looking for directors to manage our orphanage and education centre in Nakuru, Kenya, and be friends and teachers to our children. By bringing together disadvantaged children of Kenya and volunteers from across the world, there is a learning opportunity for both. As both sides discover more about each other, their lives and their cultures and teach their others what they learned in this exchange, we hope to create a world of greater understanding and compassion. Our centre in Kenya also has a close relationship with the Pokot tribe in the eastern-central part of the nation and goes on regular famine feeds to support it.
Work:
IHF needs people with all skills. No matter your experience, whether a student or retired professional, IHF needs you. At the centre, volunteers divide their time between playing with and teaching the children and working on international tasks. The centre host English, computer and math classes, and the children often seek tutoring for their homework, all tasks which volunteers take part in.
All directors lead on one or more of our international task teams such as university relations, photography and child watch. To qualify to work at a centre, volunteers must complete eight hours of work on one of the teams, and they continue to participate on the team once at the centre. In the rare case where you lack the ability to complete these hours but possess certain trade skills in agriculture, construction or others needed at one of our centres, you may be exempt from these pre-trip hours. If this is the case, be sure to immediately get in contact with the centre director to discuss your situation and possible alternative tasks.
It is important to note that IHF strictly requires its volunteer to work eight hours a day (four hours at the center and four hours online), six days a week. If this work is not completed, you will be dismissed from your position. As an entirely volunteer-run organization, IHF depends upon its members to contribute to the day-to-day operations, both locally and internationally. Without these daily hours, IHF would cease to function, so directors must be deliberate in their use of time. This is not a vacation. Directors are expected to work hard.
Cost: Except for the initial transport to the center, directors are not responsible for any costs.
Salary / Pay: Directors must commit to serve at least a year at the center. For the first three months, they are paid a living stipend of USD $120. At the end of this training period, the monthly stipend increases to USD $160. Directors are expected to work eight hours a day, six days a week, and have one long weekend every month. Additionally, directors are provided with a simple, private room, often furnished with only a bed, at the center and have the opportunity to eat all of their meals at the center with the children. Directors are responsible for paying for any special treats or outside meals they might wish to buy.
Admittedly, this is little pay for demanding work, but IHF is only looking for those who genuinely want to help children and who seek no financial benefit for themselves. This low stipend also assures that the greatest amount of money goes toward the children, the most important part of IHF.
Benefits: A Simple, private room, often furnished with only a bed, at the center and have the opportunity to eat all of their meals at the center with the children. Directors are responsible for paying for any special treats or outside meals they might wish to buy.In other words we do provide accommodation and full board.
Volunteer Type: Building schools, community development, childcare/children, culture, curriculum planning, disability issues, economic development education, English teaching, health, health care, health education, homelessness, hospital, housing, human rights, literacy, marketing, medicine, nutrition, orphans, popular education, primary education, street kids, teaching, women, water, writing, youth, youth development, academic reinforcement, AIDS/HIV, appropriate technology
Typical Volunteer: Our volunteers have a passion for immersion in foreign cultures, an openness to new experiences and a flexible approach to work. At our centres they work with local staff and directly with the local population in conditions very different from the Western world. Special projects constantly arise and include moving food during famine feeds to monitoring children during breaks. Our center directors have a lot of say in what they do as long as it is approved by the president and follows the mission of IHF.
Available To Participants: World wide
Typical Living Arrangement: Group living
Participants Travel: Independently
Typically Participants Work: Independently or in groups, depending on site
Application Requires: Resume, written application
Qualifications:
Volunteers with IHF must speak English fluently and have a great attitude. They must also be mature, responsible, team players, fast learners, flexible and interested in global change through education and service.
Most importantly, our volunteers must have an open heart and a willingness to help others and make a difference!
Mission Statement:
IHF focuses on educating and feeding children who come from the most marginalized and disadvantaged backgrounds. IHF has set up orphanages in Kenya, Indonesia and Thailand. We seek to provide a way for children to get an education that they desperately desire and are not able to receive. By educating and teaching these children that they are significant and competent, we also teach them that everyone has a voice that matters. IHF promotes self-sufficiency in the communities we work in, primarily focusing on the education, nutrition, and care of children. IHF encourages understanding and caring between people of all nations and religions in order to better prepare the leaders of future generations. We believe that by promoting communication and understanding between students from the poorest of the poor and students in America, we will all be better educated by this exchange. We desire for every student in the United States to have communication with students abroad who are different both culturally and socioeconomically, in order for all students to be educated about the world they live in.
Please visit http://www.facebook.com/l/39206;www.ihfonline.org or send us an email at hiring2@ihfonline.org if you want to learn more or have questions about volunteering with IHF.
Warm Regards,
Raj
International Humanity Foundation
rajvirsinh@ihfonline.org
lovely work you are doing may the good Lord bless you.
I was working for IHF preparing to come to Nakuru. I was accused, threatened and treated badly just before I was set to come. Like 3 days before. I had been logging all of your hours in as my home volunteering before I came. I still flew to Narobi and they did not send Naomi to get me but two very intimidating men. My local connection wisked me out the back gate. I instead went to another organization. I have never spoken of this outside of my complaints to the organization. I saved all the emails. They are appalling.
Dear Tammy,
I have forwarded your message to our Nakuru center director and also to the CEO of IHF. I got information about your case. Really apology for the inconvenience caused but in my personal opinion that you are not brave enough to get along with our children. Naomi sent one of our older child and our nurse to pick you up. They are our staff and our child. I don't understand that you call our child and our staff as "two very intimidating men". Hope my answer explain more about what exactly happen without adjusting anyone. I am very sad to see how a person can put down some people effort to help the poorest children.
Warm Regards,
Raj
I'm so glad I came across this. I volunteered for the IHF in Medan in 2008, it was a terrible experience. I too was harassed, humiliated and threatened by the Director. I flew all the way across the world to sit on a computer for 8 hours a day and at 21 years old was expected to do all the hiring for the centers around the world. I taught for 2 hours a week and was expected to sift through resumes and other admin through all hours of the night to keep up with the time difference.
While the sponsors were sending $45 a month to children, they only saw about $9 a month, never came to the center and never learned english. I wrote out the letters that they were to be photographed with and sent to their sponsors.
The local people who ran the center were amazing though. All I can say is whoever this Carol woman is, is a terrible person. The IHF needs to be shut down and taken over by a competent and loving human being.
Yes I recieved the same email. I sent a response to Carol. I got the usual world from her point of view. All I know is I worked an additional job to go to IHF in Nakuru in June 2009. I found myself in the middle of crazy town. I voulunteered at a different organization. I would hate to think I was a 20 year old, half way around the world who suddenly had to FIND somewhere else to go. I think this organization has done some good things, with good intentions....BUT it is run like a dictatorship buy a person who can be a little reactionary. I loved Kenya, it's people and the organization I ended up with. I will return again. I encourage all to consider service in Kenya, just not with IHF.
I am really amazed by the comments, I am encouraging both those who have had a bad time and a good time to have a positive mental atittude, brave on, have an open heart, and continue sacrificing and working hard for the sake of the children and IHF as a whole, I am looking forward to work with you.
"The road to hell is paved with good intentions."
I sincerely think this organization means well. A lot of good people have given time and money to it trying to make a difference. Unfortunately, this difference has rarely been a positive one.
My goodness. You post a negative review of the organization and get spammed by that organization.
I'm looking for organizations to volunteer for. This post does hurt the organization, but I hear bad things like this from others too like Americorps. There needs to be a site where people can review organizations site by site so people know which ones to volunteer to and the bad ones have their lead directors fired for being incompetent.