Church World Service Inc

Work experience at Church World Service

Negligence, malfeasance, nepotism

I worked for the Church World Service (CWS) program RSC Africa (Resettlement Support Center) funded by PRM (Bureau of population, Refugees and migration) in Nairobi Kenya.

For 1.5 years, everything was quite good until the day (23 January 2023) when some members of the Senior Management Team (SMT), including the Regional Representative and the RSC Director sat me down, and informed me that they need to get rid of me as they are in violation of their Host Country Agreement with the Kenyan government. The reason being, by hiring me. I am originally from Europe but I am in possession of a Residence permit for Kenya.

Funnily enough, they knew about this from day one, I mentioned it during the application (CV and Cover letter), and also a total of at least 17 (!!!!) times afterward in writing, also providing documentation. Instead of knowing their own agreement with the government, they just walked in the dark. I feel they did not even know what was written in the Host Country agreement between CWS RSC and the Kenyan government.

Now in a twist of event their lawyer blames me saying its all my fault as I should have not applied for this position. I should have known better and I am accused that I tried to hide the possession of the PR.

They are not willing to settle the mess they have caused, I feel that the unethical behavior, the negligence and malfeasance of CWS RSC Africa is not something I should suffer for and it should be exposed how they treat staff. Integrity? None existent. Instead they blame me for SMTs negligence.

If you hire an SMT team, I expect them to be aware of the legal impact this agreement has on the NGO. Disappointing, that nobody in the SMT seemed to even understand what the legal requirements are for the NGOs work in Kenya despite being here for DECADES.

Even CWS headquarters in the US is unimpressed with the situation and not even interested in having this issue settled fairly and quietly. The organization has in my opinion many deficits in hiring competent personnel in several units and departments.

From the perspective of funding this organization’s programs, be it via government or private funders, I feel the US government and other funders should open their eyes widely and ensure fairness and integrity. In my opinion it is a no go, giving an Organisation money who mistreat their staff (my case) and ignoring the fact that the issue is entirely caused by them.

My case shows neither fairness nor integrity. CWS causes a mess, and just closing their eyes.

Where I worked at Church World Service (CWS) Nairobi there is also some nepotism going on. Nearly 20 % of staff have family relationships. Some have the combination husband and wife, some brother and sister, some even have a total of 4 relatives working there. Mentioning this, among other issues to Headquarters, they did not really seem to care at all.

Leadership is not fair and twists facts. Massive deficits in adequate and fair leadership.

Politics going on in the background. Some jobs are given away internally as „promotions“ without internal or external advertisements. Some staff are „promoted“ or favored and move two steps upwards within 12 months while others sit on the same position for years.

Reporting mechanism related to work issues not working. HQ completely ignorant. Staff care not existent. They twist facts and blame staff about issues which they caused themselves.

Many policies are not existing, even basic ones such as work from home.

In general very unorganized when it comes to Admin structures such as policies and procedures.

My mom and I were met at the Madrid Airport at 3am by a CWS representative. We had left Cuba with nothing. They got my mom a job as a nanny, enrolled me in school and assisted with our eventual immigration to the US. I am now an MD living the American dream. CWS my charitable giving go to for obvious reasons. Dear to my heart.

Our walk waited almost an entire year for our local hunger money raised at our crop walk. We were told it would take max 3 months. This happens every year. There is definitely some financial accountability issues with this non profit. They do amazing work if only they could get it together.

Church World Service has been resettling refugees and serving the refugee and immigrant community in Greensboro, NC for over three years. Their staff is hard working, professional, creative and dedicated. What a difference they have made in the community.

As a former Treasurer of this organization, I have been consistently impressed with the thoroughness of Church World Service's processes around financial accountability. External observers, including our auditing teams, have always held up the quality of CWS' internal staff in the financial realm. There is an intentionality about using funds efficiently and always in a manner that reflects the goals of donors.

I often have occasion to speak to grassroots donors as well as to institutional stakeholders, and I can honestly say that I have never had any reservations about presenting CWS as a preferred choice among organizations working to end hunger and poverty in the global arena.

This organization responds rapidly when disasters strike because they have ongoing relationships around the world through their work to relieve poverty and hunger. It is my goto organization when I want to donate to help out after a disaster strikes. The donation doesn't go to that specific disaster but previous donations will already have been mobilized to get relief to the disaster area. I trust this organization because it is a cooperative ministry of 37 Christian communions including the major protestant and orthodox denominations so I can be sure that it has been well vetted. Although a Christian ministry it does not proselytize and helps people of all faiths.

Church World Service (CWS)mission is: to work with partners to eradicate hunger and poverty and promote peace and justice around the world. It has done its work with humility and effectiveness for 64 years. This work includes feeding the hungry through helping them become self sufficient, resettling refugees, disaster relief, and advocacy. CWS is a Christian-based organization that does not proselytize and is well respected in all cultures and corners of the world. CWS uses the CROP Hunger Walks to engage communities in the USA to be able to reach out to those in need around the world.