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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 38, Number 19. May 29 1975
Questions Put to Mr Geoff Renner, of World Vision, by this Committee
Questions Put to Mr Geoff Renner, of World Vision, by this Committee
The N.Z. Board of Directors of World Vision and Project Selection.
Questions 1-4
| 1. | How often does the Board meet? |
| 2. | Are the Board members paid any gratuity? |
| 3. | What is the salary of the Executive Director of World Vision. New Zealand? |
| 4. | What are the Executive Directors fringe benefits and allowances? |
The general reply to Questions 1-4
The members of the Board of Directors of World Vision of New Zealand Trust were honorary trustees. They are men of the highest Christian integrity, who support the Executive Director and represent the public. Comment. The Board consists of Honorary Trustees who represent the public. No reply is given as to how often they meet, whether they are paid any gratuity or on the question of the Executive Director of World Vision. New Zealand, salary and/or fringe benefits.
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Questions 5-12
| 5. | Who approves projects that World Vision in New Zealand will support? |
| 6. | Who makes up the lists from which the projects are selected? |
| 7. | It is stated that 'well-researched' proposals meeting the most urgent needs are considered. Who researches these projects? |
| 8. | Who wrote the criteria paper? |
| 9. | Once selected by the New Zealand Board of Directors de projects need to be okayed anywhere else? |
| 10. | [unclear: w] the salary of a field worker? |
| 11. | [unclear: v] the allowances of a field worker, e.g. return trips to Home every six months, when finished his appointment six months' paid leave, car allowance, travel el allowance, etc. etc. |
| 12. | What house staff do field workers have? |
Mr Renner's general reply is:
Projects are selected in a variety of ways, usually by the indigenous churches or relief agencies, or combinations of churches in consultation with World Vision Staff overseas. Projects selected are always those that meet basic human needs amongst most needy, can be clearly supervised by indigenous workers and meet the criteria. In many cases there is an interplay of research and selection, by national church specialists such as Doctors, Agriculturists, our Field Staff and sometimes Government officials and Government reports.
Projects are finally selected for funding by an administrative committee representing World Vision's International Offices. The New Zealand office selects those which it feels it can adequately fund and others that may have a direct appeal to the New Zealand people.
Comment: Projects appear to have been put forward by people 'on the spot' to an administrative committee representing World Vision's International Offices. From there the New Zealand office selects those which it feels it can adequately fund etc. However, it is not stated whether projects are vamped by the administrative committee or whether it is merely a rubber stamp committee. As regards the questions, there is no concrete answer to Questions 5, 6 and 7. Question 8 is avoided and Question 9 is hedged. Questions 10, 11, 12 no reply.
The criteria referred to, one presumes, is the criteria for the selection of projects for World Vision support, a three-page paper that we have.
Questions 13-14
| 13. | To which of the basic programmes outlined in Basic Objectives does the general donation go? |
| 14. | Could we have a breakdown of the budget for basic objectives? |
Answer: Approximately 75% of World Vision New Zealand's funds are used for child care ministries, 23% for its relief and development, approximately 2% for evangelistic outreach for Christian leadership and development. Further comment from Mr Renner: World Vision recognises that its childcare programme is essentially developmental and that development of persons is paramount.
Basic Objectives
A. Christian Social Action
| 1. |
How many children does World Vision New Zealand support? Approximately 4,700 in 17 different countries? |
| 2. |
In what areas does World Vision sponsor orphans, how many, and what countries? These countries are Bangladesh, Burma. Hong Kong. Indonesia. Kenya, Laos. Macau, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand. Upper Volta. Haiti, El Salvador. Guatemala and Mexico. Also approximately 1,200 of these children were sponsored in Vietnam and Cambodia until our programme was discontinued due to the new regime taking over. |
| 3. |
How many needy families are at the present time being rehabilitated by World Vision? Many thousands of families. |
| 4. |
Could we have a breakdown of where these families are being rehabilitated? No specific answer but says many thousands of families in this way and also such projects as Trans Migration in Indonesia are assisted. |
| 5. |
Could we have a breakdown of the $50 which is provided for house, land seed and tools? No reply. |
| 6. |
How is the seed bought? No reply. No reply. |
| 7. |
What tools are the ones referred to in "Basic Objectives"? No reply. |
| 8. |
What sort of house is provided for the refugees? World Vision provides simple, thatched huts which the refugees or rich dislocated people build themselves, and kitchen and agriculture, seeds, etc. to help them start their first crop. |
| 9. |
Whose land is provided and where? This is usually in co-operation with the Government who provides the land, n.b. talking in regard to Indonesia. |
| 10. |
Is there a limit on family? Assumed none. |
| 11. |
Do families have to have already accepted the Christian faith? No specific reply, all projects are carried out by the indigenous churches or Christian groups. |
| 12. |
What is the criteria for a needy family? No specific criteria, but does talk of widows' homes, leprosy work, handicapped assistance, refugee resettlement, and rehabilitation. Also "refugees or rich dislocated people". |
| 13. |
Is there any Government co-operation in the search for needy families and land? Definitely for land. As regards for the search for the families, no reply. |
Comment: The only specific details are given in regard to Indonesia where projects such as Trans-Migration are mentioned.
B. Emergency Relief etc.
The Viet-Kits
| 1. |
Who prepares the Viet-Kits in New Zealand? Apparently prepared by the public, in association with Mrs E. Schache. 5 Hunter Place. Mount Roskill. Auckland 7, Phone 679-460. |
| 2. |
What are the contents of Viet-Kits? Viet-Kits fall into two general areas: Sewing Kit. containing needles, safety pins, black and white cotton, medium size scissors, 2 dozen black and white buttons; Hygiene kit, hand towel, germicidal soap, small baby powder, comb, small mirror, toothbrush, toothpaste; and School Kit. lined school exercise book, packet of coloured pencils, two lead pencils, children's scissors, pencil sharpener and rubber. |
| 3. |
How do Viet-Kits get to Indochina? Viet-Kits are shipped in large wooden crates and sent to Saigon where they are collected by World Vision staff and distributed to refugee families and school children. injured soldiers and other suffering people. |
| 4. |
How much does a Viet-Kit cost to prepare in New Zealand, and how much does it cost to the Indochina family? Answer: we could get a quote on that ourselves. |
| 5. |
Who do the Viet-Kits go to, and who decides? They are handed out to refugees in the context of total relief effort. Claims to be distributed by Red Cross and other workers from most other relief agencies in Vietnam. |
| 6. |
What are the criteria for Viet-Kits relief? Refugee families, school children, injured soldiers and other suffering people. |
| 7. |
What were the reasons for instigating Viet-Kits? No reply, not needed. |
| 8. |
Could we have a sample please? We could make one ourselves. |
Comment on Viet-Kits: They appear to be a total relief item which can be prepared easily by New Zealand to make them feel part of the relief effort. A good scheme. However, there are some discrepancies on the broadsheet given to the people. World Vision say that Vietnamese people handle the distribution, along with scripture portions. In his statement. Mr Renner says they "are sent by ship to Vietnam for distribution in refugee camps by Red Cross and other workers from most other relief agencies in Vietnam".
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Recently publicised poverty and hunger in Ceylon is the result of British capital. Does World Vision encourage self-reliance?
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Two children sitting on a bench eating together
| 9. |
What is meant by food aid to refugees? No reply. |
| 10. |
Is that sort of aid obtained in New Zealand or a civilian country? No reply. |
| 11. |
What does $20 of food, in food aid consist of? No reply. |
| 12. |
How many mobile medical teams are there in Cambodia? Until the fall of Phnom Penh there were approximately six mobile medical teams and two or three stationary teams treating approximately 26,000 etc. |
| 13. |
What does a mobile medical team consist of? These teams were composed of mostly Cambodian doctors and nurses trained by our Medical Director, supplied with drugs and nutritious foods mostly from US aid funds, plus some from Australia and New Zealand. |
| 14. |
Are mobile medical teams operating now that Cambodia has fallen? Due to the new Government's closure of all medical activities in Phnom Penh we believe that the medical programme has been discontinued. |
C. Christian Leadership Training
| 1. |
World Vision works with indigenous churches. Which ones, and on what basis are they selected? World Vision has an outstanding relationship with the vast majority of indigenous churches and denominations throughout Asia and Africa... World Vision works essentially through conservative churches who are involved in realistic and useful social action programmes. Essentially a vague reply. |
| 2. |
How much control do the ingenous churches have over World Vision's activity and decision making? No reply. However, he does imply that World Vision only assists them with the programme and that they come to World Vision, not vice versa. |
| 3. |
How many pastor conferences have been held in the last month? I have enclosed details of recent pastor conferences. I do not have information on the 1975 ones yet. |
| 4. |
Where are they held? Replies available. |
| 5. |
Which pastors went to such conferences? A pastors' conference comes into being when a representative indigenous committee invites World Vision to conduct such a conference. This must be truly representative, at least of all the protestant denominations and usually a Roman Catholic observer. |
| 6. |
Who selected the pastors to go to such conferences? The pastors are selected by leaders of their churches. |
| 7. |
Who pays the $15 to send each pastor to the conference? Pastors... are asked to pay a small amount set by the local committee. The amount of $15 is pooled and helps to undergird the cost of running the conference, subsidising fares, etc. |
| 9. |
How many pastors, on average, attend these conferences? No reply. |
| 10. |
How much does a scholarship cost? No reply. |
| 11. |
Where does the money for scholarships come from? No reply. |
| 12. |
How many scholarships does World Vision New Zealand sponsor? At this stage World Vision of New Zealand is only supporting one such student in Nigeria Theological College. |
| 13. |
How many scholarships were started in the last twelve months? No reply. |
| 14. |
What Bible Colleges and Universities are the scholarships to? No reply. |
| 15. |
How long is a scholarship for? No reply. |
| 16. |
What degree or certificate is the end product of the scholarship? No reply. |
| 17. |
What criteria is used in scholarship selection? World Vision scholarships are mainly run within the field country through their own efforts. They select promising students who are unable to carry on in a higher education through financial difficulty, and who have potential. |
| 18. |
Who decides if a candidate is suitable for a scholarship or not? No reply. |
| 19. |
How many months does it take to train one student in Christian Leadership? No reply. |
| 20. |
How much does the average Crusade cost? Mr Renner: Crusades are not part of World Vision's current emphasis. From time to time grants are made to local indigenous efforts however. Budgets of each pastors' conference are made up by the local committee and I have no information on these. To date World Vision New Zealand has not landed Pastors" Conferences as the are usually related to a specific geographic area, and rely on the ability to promote the need for support among constituents who are interested in this ministry. |
| 21. |
In terms of project selection, who decided the emphasis of pastors' conferences? No reply. |
| 22. |
Would you provide a breakdown of the budget of the 1962 Pastors' Conferences, and a breakdown of the rest of your budget for Asia (orphanages, etc)? No reply. |
D. Missionary Challenge
| 1. |
How many people in New Zealand get World Vision publications? 25.000. |
| 2. |
How many are printed in New Zealand for overseas distribution? Reply a bit vague. States most resources are produced overseas. |
| 3. |
What is a missions resource file? The missions resource file is a mixture of articles, statements, etc. that mission leaders and interested lay people find helpful in stimulating their missionary interests and updating their information on the world scene. |
| 4. |
Could we have a typical resource folder? I enclose some typical inserts. |
| 5. |
Who is the regular in-putter? No reply. |
| 6. |
What is the budget for World Vision film? World Vision of New Zealand purchases films available at a nominal rate. e.g. $150. World Vision of New Zealand has not produced any film apart from a small amount which was obtained by the director for use in a current affairs programme on New Zealand television. We have approximately 7 different films and they vary from 20 minutes to 45 minutes in length and all are in 16mm colour. They are usually produced to provide information on some aspect of World Vision work that has been highlighted in the particular country and the cost is partly absorbed in the total budget. This gives us access to films. |
| 7. |
What equipment is available in this slide film audio visual? No reply. |
| 8. | How many films have been produced by World Vision New Zealand in the last twelve months? |
| 9. | Have they all been 16mm? |
| 10. | How many films has World Vision obtained from overseas? |
| 11. |
Who pays for the films? All these questions are answered in Question 6 above. |
| 12. |
Where are the World Vision films produced? US. Canada and Australia. |
| 13. |
Where are the World Vision films edited? Presumably. US. Canada and Australia. |
E. Evangelism
| 1. |
How many people are enrolled in Scripture Memory and Bible correspondence courses? Total number per country? The number of children enrolled varies considerably from project to project, and from country to country. For instance, approximately 12.000 children are enrolled in Korea... In Indonesia approximately 30.000 are enrolled. These are from a call across Indonesia and Malaysia. They are individuals who respond to radio broadcasts offering bible correspondence material. This is in cooperation with other missions. |
| 2. |
How are they funded? No reply. |
| 3. |
Where are the children that are enrolled in Scripture Memory Bible correspondence courses? No reply. |
| 4. |
Could we have a sample copy of the course? No reply. |
| 5. |
Is there any connection between the children in World Vision orphanages and those enrolled in Scripture Memory Bible Courses? Some of those in Scripture Memory Bible Courses are in orphanages, and some are not. |
| 6. |
How many national evangelists are supported by World Vision New Zealand office? The national evangelist programme in Indonesia is mainly supported by World Vision New Zealand. |
| 7. |
What is the criteria for the selection of a national evangelist? The national evangelist programme was started to give assistance to pastors going out on their first tour of three years of ministry before they had a church supporting them. These are men and women selected first because they had no financial support and secondly because they oiler a multi-phased programme in areas of great need. |
| 8. |
In what areas of Indonesia do they work? In such areas as Kalimantan, with the Dyaks, and very depressed areas of North Eastern Java. They are teachers, paramatics, agriculturists, trained people etc. Their main commitment is to help those living below poverty areas to become self supporting and to introduce Christianity to the people. The support sent from New Zealand covers the basic needs for food and for clothing, housing etc. It is administered by the local indigenous churches who supervise their work. They are trained in Indonesia Bible Institute and the South East Asian Bible College in East Java. page 14 |
| 9. |
What does the $12 per month for personal sponsorship of a national evangelist cover? No reply. |
| 10. |
Where are the national evangelists trained? Indonesia Bible Institute and South East Bible College, East Java. |
| 11. |
What is contained in an evangelists kit? The evangelistic kit is simply a combination of a cassette player, cassettes with bible messages, and local singing; plus bible correspondence courses which are used by missionaries and indigenous Christian workers all over Indonesia. |
| 12. |
Could we have a sample copy of an evangelistic kit? No reply. |
| 13. |
The $36 for each ebangelistic kit — what is the breakdown? The amount of $36 provides cassette batteries and the literature which is all bought in Indonesia and sent to those who can use the information. |
| 14. |
What are the kits made up of? See above. |
General
| 1. |
Could we have a list of relief and assistance grants made in Asia? The relief and assistance grants made in Asia were widespread and diffuse and there is no one list of these. They include such things as food relief in the Philippines, refugee/relief work amongst Montagn ards in Vietnam, and assistance to leprosy resettlement villages in South Korea, assistance to the only Pediatric hospital in Bangladesh and new refugees misplaced from Dacca. They include subsidies for christian hostels in Burma, building loans and grants for churches all over Asia, and putting up child-care centres and schools etc. |
| 2. |
Where are the six community projects in Africa? The main community development programmes in Africa are in Upper Volta. Nigeria, Kenya and Ethiopia. Others will be started in (I presume 75 (in about five oilier countries of Africa. |
| 3. |
Why are there no community development projects in Asia? There are also community development projects in Indonesia, the Philippine and Bangladesh. |
| 4. |
What is the staff-child ratio in your child-care homes, hostels and schools in the rest of the world? Staff child ratio varies. |
| 5. |
What is the evangelism research programme undertaken in Latin America? No reply. |
| 6. |
Who were the 25 assistance grants made to in Latin America? No reply. |
| 7. |
What is a short-term youth team in Latin America? No reply. |
| 8. |
Do you have operations in the People's Republic of China? No reply. |
| 9. |
What is meant by "support office"? No reply. |
| 10. |
What is the budget of the Missions Advanced Research and Communications Centre? No reply. |
| 11. |
Can we have a copy of the audited accounts from November 1st to April 30th? No reply. |
| 12. |
Can we have a copy of last years audited accounts, despite the fact that they're with the Australasian accounts? Accounts enclosed. |
| 13. |
Was World Vision involved in the International Christian Conference held in South Seol. South Korea, last August? If so, what is World Vision's stance as regards President Park's repression of Christian churches? No reply. |
| 14. |
Of the 65,000 children you assist in Asia, how many of these are in Vietnam, and of these how many do you assist by schooling? No reply. |
| 15. |
Given the situation in Indochina, what is the state of World Vision operations? "In a state of flux, I gather." |
| 16. |
Will refunds be given to sponsors, if World Vision cannot operate in Indochina? No reply. We have since learnt that money given for Indochina may be used in Ethiopia. |
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A patient at a Cambodian hospital. What happened to aid promised to Indochina?
Appendix II
A letter received during the investigation.
Over the last two years I have made many visits to Laos including one stay of over three months.
Nearly two years ago the owner of the home cookery shop in my suburb. Strathmore Park, Wellington told me that he and his staff had adopted a Lao child through World Vision. He was not very happy with the information he was receiving and asked my advice. As I was leaving for Laos shortly after, I offered to make enquiries. He showed me the adoption papers he had received, and to me there were several doubtful statements which did not conform to my knowledge of Vientiane. I wrote to the Director of World Vision in Auckland (Mr Renner) explaining the position, asking for more information. I received a rather formal reply and no answers to my questions. These were concerning the shild's age (clearly wrong from the photo.) and her class in school, and also the name of the school described as Lycee. (The Lycee in Vientiane is an upper class secondary school).
I decided to wait and further my enquiries in Vientiane. I found the World Vision office there, a large well-appointed "shop-house", with a staff present of six or seven. Unfortunately the Director, a Canadian, was away and the office was in charge of a Thai Christian who spoke reasonable English. He made a bad impression be evading my questions and delivering me a lecture on the bringing of "God's love" to the poor Lao. and on the need to resuce "His Lambs" and show them the true path through Jesus Christ. He was unwilling to get the child's file or to answer my questions. I saw I could get no information without insisting and being rude, which is not the way things are done in Laos. I decided not to make an issue of it, but went to the school, which was a small private school, but unfortunately closed for the holidays. I found a young teacher who could not identify the child, nor could a couple of children playing nearby. I did not push my enquiries further and decided to write back to my friend recommending that he cancel his contribution and put it to some other cause.
I would make it clear that although there was a strong sense of fraud and evasion I cannot claim that I investigated fully enough to prove anything. It was just a felling of frustration and impatience that I could not satisfy [unclear: yself] of the honesty and effectiveness of the scheme. There my a have been answers to some of my doubts if I had been able to get the information I wanted.
I remain very sceptical of the purpose and efficiency of World Vision.
Doug Edwards
Appendix III
Extract from a letter.
"A friend of mine had decided to sponsor a child, and solicited from six families in her street so that, they had a real community effort which produced its own interest. One of the men in this group was taking a World Tour and decided to call in on the child, who wrote every month, and whose picture they had.
To cut a long story short, the man could not find the orphanage in that town or in any other town (in Indonesia) of that name, and had to go on with the World tour without seeing to child.
On his return to Australia, my friend, (the one who collected the money etc.) wrote to World Vision asking what was wrong. They wrote and said they were sorry, the orphanage had been moved, and the child was not located in a certain village. Sorry for the inconvenience etc. However, when the child wrote the subsequent letters, they still came from the first address which the man had been unable to find.
Ruth Sutton
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