What WE Lost, Tawfiq S. Rangwala
What WE Lost, Tawfiq S. Rangwala
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What WE Lost
Inside the Attack on Canada’s Largest Children’s Charity

Author: Tawfiq S. Rangwala, The Right Honourable Kim Campbell P.C.

Narrator: Martin Luther King III

Unabridged: 18 hr 3 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: ECW Press

Published: 06/23/2022


Synopsis

WE Charity had changed the game. In its 25 years, the international development charity and youth empowerment movement impacted lives the world over. Innovation was at its core: while most charities focus on making the world a better place for our children, WE Charity focused on making better children for our world. Founded by the ubiquitous Kielburger brothers, WE Charity operated more like a Silicon Valley start-up than a traditional NGO. From creating stadium-filling events with A-list celebrity ambassadors to building schools, infrastructure, a hospital and even a university at lightning speed, the organization was always full-throttle. Its for-profit partner, ME to WE, filled shelves with socially-conscious products that allowed consumers to track the impact of their spending, invited young people and families to visit and work in communities WE Charity supported, and channelled proceeds back into the charity to make it self-sustaining. Unique and disruptive, WE generated energy, engagement, and accolades. But it also bred misunderstanding and, in some quarters, resentment. With a long history of propelling youth to act in support of myriad causes—making ”doing good doable,” the slogan went—WE Charity was the ideal candidate to administer the Canada Student Services Grant (CSSG) program. The program, if it had happened, involved matching students within non-profits in a summer in which Covid had stolen most job opportunities. And then, WE Charity in Canada was gone. It didn’t crumble. It crashed. Unwittingly caught in the crosshairs of a partisan fight that reflects the increasing ”Americanization” of Canadian politics, WE Charity was forced to shutter its doors in Canada. Once a media darling with politicians of all stripes clamouring to appear at its events, the charity was suddenly a pariah accused (falsely) of a litany of wrongdoings: political cronyism; governance failures; heavy-handed decision-making by executives; lining the pockets of the founders; manipulating children; mistreating donors; racism and international corruption. Many were shocked. Detractors were delighted. Led by fringe commentators, the media quickly piled on. Allies who spoke out were castigated and forced to take cover. But while most Canadians have heard of the so-called ”WE Charity Scandal”—at times forming strong views—few are able to recount the true facts. Misperceptions and confusion have ruled the day. And many of the most important voices—including those of educators and young people—have gone unreported and unheard. In this book, former WE board member and lawyer Tawfiq Rangwala unpacks the evidence and provides the critical context around the headline-grabbing controversies that have shaped the narrative. Drawing on the factual record, his personal experiences inside the organization, and extensive interviews with supporters and critics, Rangwala cuts through the fog and explains what really happened, why it happened, and who should be held to account. The author goes even deeper with insightful, compassionate and heartbreaking interviews with WE supporters, benefactors and the politicians that used the awarding of the contract during the global pandemic crisis to paint a picture of conflicts of interest and special favours by the Prime Minister. Along the way, we learn what has been lost and the personal cost to Canadians and people around the world. More than just a story of the rise and fall of an iconic global charity, this is a cautionary tale of the collateral damage that can be levelled by unchecked partisan politics, social media pundits, and sensationalist headlines. In the end, Canadians are left to ponder whether the real ”scandal” is the demise of WE Charity and the values of fair play and due process that most of us hold dear.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Nada on July 21, 2022

I picked up and put down this book a few times before getting into it. My hesitation was that the author is a former board member and would have a biased slant on the We side of the story. But in fairness, there is a ton of back-up docs to support his claims and even if the truth is somewhere in the......more

Goodreads review by Stephen on October 17, 2022

I think this book really speaks to the fact that journalism these days doesn't even try to be unbiased. Obviously, the content of the book is in favour of WE, but they have a lot of evidence to back up their claims. It really seems like this whole scandal was more about what would get the most media......more

Goodreads review by Tanya on October 19, 2022

I have family who were involved with WE Charity and the culture from their experience was always positive. When this scandal broke, it was pretty much impossible to believe. the headlines we saw were outrageous and difficult to believe. As soon as I knew this book was coming out, I pre-ordered it so......more

Goodreads review by Jackie on October 03, 2022

An important read! This is an important read for anyone who cares about integrity and balance in journalism and politics. In a world where views and opinions are now formed based on tweets and media sound bites, this book outlines the need for a more thoughtful and fair examination of issues in today......more

Goodreads review by Bev on October 25, 2022

Regardless of where you stand on the issue, this book provides some excellent reading. It was thorough and engaging, I was able to finish it in a matter of days.......more