Wyclef Responds to Accusations Against Yele
Almost as soon as the crisis in Haiti occurred, the word came out that you could text “Yele” to 501501 to easily donate money. This resulted in over 2 million dollars being raised by the organization to aid those in need. As is usually the case when this type of money is involved, some decided to dig into Yele’s financial records. What they found raised some eyebrows but, in the grand scheme of things, was irrelevant.
Yele, established in 2005 by Haitian artist Wyclef, raised 1 million dollars in just 24 hrs to help with this current situation. Shortly thereafter, the Smoking Gun released Yele’s tax returns along with allegations of “a lackluster history of accounting.” They point out payments paid to companies affiliated with those working within Yele, including alleged payments made to Wyclef himself for shows done in the name of charity.
Wyclef returned to the US after helping dig up the bodies of his fellow countrymen and find graves for them, to learn of the accusations against his organization. He took it personal, calling it an “attack on his integrity.” In a response posted on YouTube this past Saturday, he points out a few things that should be obvious:
- He is from Haiti. It’s where he lives. Yele existed long before this recent disaster. Wyclef is not just the face of some charity.
- Yele is a non-governmental organization, which was done presumably so that they could have more flexibility in the methods they used to help Haiti. Including penetration into areas they might otherwise not have access to.
- Just because a show is organized to raise money for charity doesn’t mean all involved in the production of that event will do so for free. Equipment, venues, and musicians still need to be paid for their work.
- You can donate to another charity. Wyclef doesn’t care if you donate through Yele, he just wants you to donate.
Wyclef denounces the statements made against him and Yele, pointing out that he’s put $1 million of his own money into the organization. He also says that, in the next few days, he will release footage of the efforts being made by Yele in Haiti. He believes this footage will give everyone more information to make an educated decision as to Yele’s intentions.
I believe Wyclef, via Yele, is doing all he can for Haiti and has been for years. There is no real proof of any real corruption at this time and these statements are simply diverting attention for the real story here: A natural disaster in Haiti has killed thousands and the survivors need our help. You can donate $5 via Yele by texting the word “Yele” to 501501. If you don’t trust that method, Use one of the many other options available.
About the Author Rahsheen has been a certified geek since before it was the thing to do. He started programming and tinkering in the 4th grade. Now, Rahsheen mostly writes on various sites about technology trends in social media and mobile. . He is also a musician, singer, rapper, writer, and producer. @rahsheen - +Rahsheen Porter - coachrah.com
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I totally agree with you. I also donated through to YELE, there is a max of 6 calls and I have exhausted all 6. If any of his critics have owned a business or been closely involved in book keeping this would never have been an issue……I applaud anyone who has the compassion to stand up and do the right thing, which he has been doing for years, and then continue to stand in the face of adversity and continue to work towards their goal. God Bless Wyclef and the people of Haiti.
Oh wow, that's just… priceless. Have you seen this?
The 'Devil' Writes Pat Robertson A Letter
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/01/the…
As is evident in the spelling of the word “IS” in the phrase “grammar is “adjusted”.
This is my second attempt to post here. I have never posted here before. I think people are upset because Wyclef Jean was one of the first people to jump in and help the people of Haiti after this catastrophe. I don't care what anyone says, I BELIEVE IN WYCLEF JEAN!!! He has been helping the people of HAITI FOR YEARS!! I've spelled everything correctly. I know that is not the point at all, but sometimes I feel that words are (intentionally) misspelled and grammar it “adjusted” so that the true messages of the postings are less potent.
I just donated to yele, to hell with the GOP, they are a bunch a racist, they have a problem with everything a black man does.
WYCLEF, YOU KEEP DOING WHAT GOD WILL ALLOW YOU TO DO. YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AN INSPIRATION, A PROVIDER, A GOD SENT TO MANY PEOPLE WHO CANNOT PROVIED FOR THEIR CHILDREN, SIBLINGS, MOTHER, FATHERS. AUNTS AND UNCLES IN HAITI…..JUST BECAUSE OF A JEALOUSY FACTOR OF A FEW SMALL MINDED DEMONS. WHO CANNOT RECEIVE MOST OF THE MONEY FOR THEIR OWN PERSONAL BENEFITS, AND ARE ENVIOUS OF YOU WHO ARE DOING WHAT YOU HONESTLY SAID YOU WOULD…..DO NOT LET NO ONE STOP YOU AND GOD WILL NOT LET THEM PREVAIL…..WYCLEF, YOU ARE HONORED AND YOU ARE LOVED…I HAD OVER 300 PEOPLE FROM MY ORGANIZATION DONATE THE $5 ON YOUR SITE AND WE ALSO ARE DONATING A LUMP SUM. WE SUPPORT YOUR EFFORTS AND GOD BLESS YOU AND THE PEOPLE OF HAITI.
Just found this about good ole Pat Robertson who said the Haitians made a deal with the devil and that's why they are cursed with bad luck…
With the Bush Administration's approval, Robertson's $66 million relief organization, Operation Blessing, has been prominently featured on FEMA's list of charitable groups accepting donations for hurricane relief. Dozens of media outlets, including the New York Times, CNN and the Associated Press, duly reprinted FEMA's list, unwittingly acting as agents soliciting cash for Robertson. “How in the heck did that happen?” Richard Walden, president of the disaster-relief group Operation USA, asked of Operation Blessing's inclusion on FEMA's list. “That gives Pat Robertson millions of extra dollars.”
Typical of a Limbaugh clone spewing garbage. And most of the news reports are going with it without investigating further, showing they might as well put “National Enquirer” in the middle of their names. I'm donating through YELE because I know Wyclef has been trying to help his people for years and these other organizations pay salaries, etc. to their staff. Wyclef can get into the places that the others are afraid to go with people desperate for food and water and emergency help.
Oh wow, that's just… priceless. Have you seen this?
The 'Devil' Writes Pat Robertson A Letter
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/01/the…
As is evident in the spelling of the word “IS” in the phrase “grammar is “adjusted”.
This is my second attempt to post here. I have never posted here before. I think people are upset because Wyclef Jean was one of the first people to jump in and help the people of Haiti after this catastrophe. I don't care what anyone says, I BELIEVE IN WYCLEF JEAN!!! He has been helping the people of HAITI FOR YEARS!! I've spelled everything correctly. I know that is not the point at all, but sometimes I feel that words are (intentionally) misspelled and grammar it “adjusted” so that the true messages of the postings are less potent.
I just donated to yele, to hell with the GOP, they are a bunch a racist, they have a problem with everything a black man does.
WYCLEF, YOU KEEP DOING WHAT GOD WILL ALLOW YOU TO DO. YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AN INSPIRATION, A PROVIDER, A GOD SENT TO MANY PEOPLE WHO CANNOT PROVIED FOR THEIR CHILDREN, SIBLINGS, MOTHER, FATHERS. AUNTS AND UNCLES IN HAITI…..JUST BECAUSE OF A JEALOUSY FACTOR OF A FEW SMALL MINDED DEMONS. WHO CANNOT RECEIVE MOST OF THE MONEY FOR THEIR OWN PERSONAL BENEFITS, AND ARE ENVIOUS OF YOU WHO ARE DOING WHAT YOU HONESTLY SAID YOU WOULD…..DO NOT LET NO ONE STOP YOU AND GOD WILL NOT LET THEM PREVAIL…..WYCLEF, YOU ARE HONORED AND YOU ARE LOVED…I HAD OVER 300 PEOPLE FROM MY ORGANIZATION DONATE THE $5 ON YOUR SITE AND WE ALSO ARE DONATING A LUMP SUM. WE SUPPORT YOUR EFFORTS AND GOD BLESS YOU AND THE PEOPLE OF HAITI.
Just found this about good ole Pat Robertson who said the Haitians made a deal with the devil and that's why they are cursed with bad luck…
With the Bush Administration's approval, Robertson's $66 million relief organization, Operation Blessing, has been prominently featured on FEMA's list of charitable groups accepting donations for hurricane relief. Dozens of media outlets, including the New York Times, CNN and the Associated Press, duly reprinted FEMA's list, unwittingly acting as agents soliciting cash for Robertson. “How in the heck did that happen?” Richard Walden, president of the disaster-relief group Operation USA, asked of Operation Blessing's inclusion on FEMA's list. “That gives Pat Robertson millions of extra dollars.”
Typical of a Limbaugh clone spewing garbage. And most of the news reports are going with it without investigating further, showing they might as well put “National Enquirer” in the middle of their names. I'm donating through YELE because I know Wyclef has been trying to help his people for years and these other organizations pay salaries, etc. to their staff. Wyclef can get into the places that the others are afraid to go with people desperate for food and water and emergency help.
Here's the deal. Wyclef donated $1 million of his own money to Haitian relief via his Yele foundation last year. He then did ads for Yele and concerts via his studios, the cost of which was 300K. This money went to pay the staff of the org and the recording costs.
So he still put 700K of his own, free and clear into Yele.
The IRS today cleared him of any wrong doing.
The main accuser was a GOP honcho who now leads a DC based group that is a lobby concern for the BIG charities.
The REAL dirt on the GOP guy was on Keith Olberman today on MSNBC.
Too bad, they already slimed Wyclef, though. Now, everyone thinks he's a thief. Typical, racist stuff, by big business.
I just texted 505 501 to YELE.
(5$ to the haitian peiople, not the US Red Cross / 700 Club…slush funds…)
Billions of taxpayer dollars shipped oversees to fund a war, with private companies profiting huge gains… and the media attacks an organization that is actually doing good for a country in dire need? Because of a tabloid website's article about their tax reporting?
No one is a victim here, and Wyclef isn't personally profiting.
Watch this: http://yele.org/liveconf
Great post, Sheen. Thanks for referencing the “Help for Haiti”" link, also.