WE Charity (formerly Free the Children) is an international development charity and youth empowerment movement founded in 1995 by Canadian human rights advocates Marc and Craig Kielburger. The organization focuses on development programs in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, emphasizing education, water, health, food, and economic opportunity. It also runs domestic programming for youth in Canada, the US, and the UK, promoting corporate-sponsored service learning and active citizenship.
| Website | we.org |
|---|---|
| Formerly called | Free the Children |
Founding and Early Actions
WE Charity began as Free the Children, founded by Craig Kielburger when he was 12 years old. Inspired by the story of Iqbal Masih, a young Pakistani boy murdered for his activism against child labor, Kielburger aimed to combat child exploitation. One of the charity’s first significant actions was a successful campaign to free child labor activist Kailash Satyarthi from prison.
Evolution and Rebranding
Initially focused on rescuing child laborers, the organization shifted to building schools and infrastructure to address the root causes of poverty. In 2016, Free the Children rebranded as WE Charity, expanding its mission to include broader international development and youth empowerment initiatives.
Domestic and International Programs
WE Charity operates various programs:
- Domestic: Includes activities like food and clothing drives, anti-bullying campaigns, and fundraising for international projects. It also partners with initiatives like the Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative to promote Indigenous history in Canada.
- International: Focuses on building schools and infrastructure in countries like Kenya, India, and Ecuador. The organization opened WE College in Kenya in 2019, offering courses to the Maasai Mara community.
Controversies and Scandals
- Board Changes and Donor Advisory: In 2020, Charity Intelligence issued a “Donor Advisory” for WE Charity due to abrupt changes in its board of directors.
- Government Contracts Scandal: In 2020, WE Charity was selected by the Canadian federal government to administer the Canada Student Service Grant, a $900 million program. The decision was reversed following revelations of ties between the charity and the Trudeau family. The ethics investigation concluded that WE Charity did not receive preferential treatment from Prime Minister Trudeau.
- Misleading Donors: In 2021, a CBC report claimed that WE Charity misled donors about the number of schools built in Kenya. The charity denied these allegations and filed a defamation lawsuit against the CBC in 2022.
- Wikipedia Manipulation: In 2020, an investigation revealed that WE Charity’s Wikipedia page had been illicitly modified by paid agents from Percepto International.
Governance and Financials
WE Charity is governed by separate Boards of Directors in Canada, the US, and the UK. Concerns have been raised about the blurred lines between WE Charity and its related for-profit entity, Me to WE. Despite these concerns, WE Charity asserts that Me to WE has contributed more to the charity than it has received.
Legal Proceedings
In February 2022, WE Charity filed a defamation lawsuit against the CBC, accusing it of fabricating quotes and misleading editing. The lawsuit is proceeding in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
Impact and Recognition
Despite its controversies, WE Charity has received several recognitions. Both founders, Craig and Marc Kielburger, have been inducted into the Order of Canada. The charity has also received awards for its social entrepreneurship and impact in international development.
References
- WE Charity’s founding and mission.
- Domestic and international programming details.
- Scandals and ethical concerns surrounding WE Charity.
- Governance and financial structure.
- Legal proceedings and impact on the organization’s reputation.