Sir, - In the report "Charity investigated for alleged irregularities has set up here" by Alison O'Connor and Catherine Cleary (The Irish Times, October 30th), Humana People to People, of which I am a director, is described in a scandalous and misleading manner.
I would like to make the following comments. Humana People to People in Ireland is a charity whose aim and only interest is to raise funds for development aid projects. We are an entirely law-abiding organisation. We are registering at all governmental bodies, as required of charities in Ireland.
Our main way of fundraising is through the collection and sale of used clothing. Whenever used clothing is sold, it is done in accordance with the respective laws, and with payment of VAT and taxes where this applies. The benefits of the sales are entirely spent on development aid projects, according to our objectives.
Humana People to People is an Irish-based charity. We have our own board of directors and we have no financial connection with Humana UK, nor with any school in Denmark.
Although I have stated this very clearly in the interview I gave to The Irish Times, the article has attached great suspicion to Humana People to People in Ireland by writing about investigations in Humana Ltd UK, and of the schools in Denmark.
The description of us being "worldwide empire described as a non-religious sect" and being part of a "wealthy Danish cult" is completely unjust. I would therefore like to clarify who are working in Humana People to People in Ireland. I started working with Humana seven years ago as a volunteer in a child aid project in Mozambique. I worked alongside seven Mozambicans to built 3 clinics so that local people could receive treatment and health education. I now work here in Ireland alongside Ann, an English girl who has recently returned from working in a child aid project in Angola. Our daily work is to make agreements with shop owners/pub owners for the instalment of clothing banks.
Our only concern is to raise funds for development aid projects. There is a big need for health education, information about HIV/Aids, vocational schools and agricultural projects in many countries in the world. We want to contribute our share to development by starting up Humana in Ireland.
You can hardly call us a "Danish cult". I am not even Danish, I am Dutch.
Just like many other people in Ireland, we are very concerned about developing some of the poorest countries in the world. We give people the possibility to support development work. They can donate their used clothes, money or participate as a volunteer in the work in Ireland or at one of our projects in Africa.
It is a shame for you and your readers that you have taken no interest in our work in Africa. - Yours, etc., Pauline Van De Stadt,
Humana People to People in Ireland,
Brandan Road,
Drimnagh,
Dublin 12.
Alison O'Connor and Catherine Cleary write: Humana People to People Ireland is an arm of an international organisation whose activities have been investigated in a number of European countries. Ms van de Stadt's responses to our questions were included prominently in the articles, where she was described as a Dutch national.