Dear Sir,
I read your report on the Campbells and was astonished to hear how unjustly the TdH has behaved.It is unbelievable that a charitable organisation is taking the very people to court who are helping the poor children of Ethiopia. TdH should have thanked the Campbells for uncovering Christie's crimes and for telling them about them so that they would be able to hand him over to the authorities thus clearing their organisation of any blame or suspicion.That would have been the correct behaviour for an NGO!!! Sadly this was not so!

Dr. Volker Stein, Ilsede, Germany

I am an Ethiopian living abroad, and I am astonished to read about what is happening to Mr. and Mrs. Campbell. I know I don't have a complete picture of the situation, but if what is reported here is true. the lady deserves a medal, not a prison sentence. I hope the judge will have a good sense to see the intent of the law, not just the technicality of it. This actually should clearly show the country needs whistle blowers protection act, especially in cases such as this. Unless the country establishes some kind of protection for whistle blowers and witnesses, the powerful and the rich will get away with raping children by just threating to sue anyone who dares to come forword with any incriminating evidence.

Solomon, Austin, US/Texas

Where is the illustrious UN when there needed?

Brad, Ohio, USA

I know of Mr. Garry for the good work that he has contributed in raising funds to help Ethiopian students attend in the United World Colleges (UWC) around the world. As part of that support group I have also participated and made my donation to the program through him. As far as my knowledge is concerned we know him for the good things that he has contributed. I think the government must understand that child sexual abuse is a serious issue with huge public importance in Ethiopia...serious action must be take against those practicing the same. It must well be noted that such accusations as defamation, could kill the very battle against Child sexual abuse if not well founded.

BBT, Middle East, U.A.E

Myself and friends ,with the help of great Ethiopians who have been fighting for the case,presented this to the parliament .Desalegn Mesfin,and a lady who i do not remember,were the ones in the forefront who were fighting for these helpless Ethiopians.I know we raised this case to the then minister of justice Mr Weredewold and the legal affairs committee of the HPR.

None of them took this case seriously.
I am proud of Desalegn Mesfin and my other Ethiopian fellow who have been fighting and still are fighting for the these helpless poor children.

I will write and make this issue known to the publc through any possible means after concelting with Ato desalegn.

MH from USA

MH, Boston, USA

I know this case in detail,thanks for my best friend Desalegn Mesfin and another concerned Ehiopian lady who started the fight and exposed the abused helpless children's case.I know Desalegn and myself presented the case to parliament and the then minister of justice Mr Weredewold.

We will come with detailed fact thru any possible way next after concelting Desalegn and the lady.
Thank God few of the criminals are paying the price .


mulu

mulugeta H, Boston, USA

I was appalled to read this story. Whether the Campbells had sufficient evidence to prove a cover up I do not know - perhaps they may have been a little unwise. However, one wonders at the response of TdH, it smacks of 'caught out so kick back'. What do we learn from this? That if an individual sees an injustice, the sensible thing to do is to turn a blind eye because the 'little people' against an organisation is no contest? By all accounts, this is a truly altruistic couple whose aim has aways been to see to the needs of others by their giving of both personal resources and time. It is ironic that, should Jill be jailed, the result will effectively be more child abuse - for 2 ten-year olds deprived of their mother. In the sad event that Jill spends time in prison, this will be because of the machinations of law over humanity and common sense. The only party who will look good at the end will be Jill- the system will be creating another, albeit unwilling, matyr. Liz Bath

Liz, Bath, UK

It is a terrifying reality that paedophiles infiltrate organisations that are there to care for children and that their activities go unnoticed. Disbelief and the betrayal that colleagues in the organisation feel can lead to individuals denying the truth - which of us would ever wish to believe that our colleagues are sexual deviants and that we ourselves have been groomed? The highly devious tactics of paedophiles mask their intentions to the most scrutinising of organisations - all we can ever do is keep up with them, put up hurdles and operate in a way that prevents them from practising freely. Above all we can bring them to justice when we discover them and make an example of them.This, it appears, is what Jill and Gary Campbell did and what courage it must have taken to pursue a course that no one will have wanted to hear about in a country unused to punishing paedophiles.
I would urge TdH to drop the charges against Jill and to concentrate on justice and care for the children.

H Bennett, Somerset, UK

I am greatly saddened to hear of the continued harrassment of this courageous and child centred couple, whom I have known for many years. I wonder what stance the British Government is taking over this through the Embassy/Consulate? Their tenacity through years of campaigning and their commitment to justice for the truly powerless and voiceless is inspirational. It is exactly the kind of attitude that our UK Government should be rewarding with honours not , abandoning them to this type of injustice. I urge people to contact their MPs to raise questions about this.

Catherine Pestano, London, England

I would like to express my support and admiration for what Jill and Gary have done. I seems that there is no justice if a court would even consider imprisonment for someone who has bravely stood up for the rights of innocent children who cannot defend themselves. I hope and pray that the court will see sense and not allow Jill to be taken away from her family

Louise Salum, london, Uk

We knew the Campbells when we lived in Addis and can confirm that they are the most unselfish, humble and caring people, who have done nothing wrong. The Tdh director was proved guilty so Tdh are only damaging their reputation further by dragging this case on. Forcing an innocent mother of two adopted children and well respected teacher of scores more to go to jail is not in the interests of any of these children - a sad reflection on the priorities of this so called children's charity. Jill Campbell is incredibly strong and principled, not to give in for the sake of a quiet life as most would have done. We support her and appeal to TdH to leave her alone. Please write to all concerned and stop this gross injustice.
Sue Osmaston,Cambridge,UK

Sue Osmaston, Cambridge,

Taking advantage of kids is the worst crime of crime in the US. Our government should take this issue seriously. Not only the criminal but also the person who hire the criminal back ground individual should bring to justice. This organization needs to close down; when it comes to dignity, as always we chose our poverty over humiliation.

Seife , Washington DC, USA

So sad to see that they said they want to give bread to these innocent children & finally this is what they are doing,dispicable crime against helpless children. what I want to say at the end is this is the democracy that they want to introduce. these so called charities are the main source of problem in Africa. Oh! almighty God! when are you going to see Africa? Oh Africa is sufferring is ailing under double minded human beings! Africa is lookong for you.sincerely

Teklai, columbus ohio, USA

These people were trusted for taking care of these Ethiopian children and decided to molested them, so they need to pay face the consquences. Six month is this a joke? Thanks Jill and Gary, God bless you and your courage to expose these individual.

elsa, denver, colorado

I have heard a rumor that a man or men had been sent home from Ethiopia from the TREE SAVERS project. I asked but did not press hard why they were deported. I am going to investigate that when i go there next month. I know some of the kids from the street who took over that project.

sammy sam, Churchill Godanna, Ethiopia

This should be given a much higher profile. It is clear that the Campbells have done a lot for the Ethiopian people and are clearly held in very high regard by the local community. There doesn't seem to have been much legal support offered to them yet - hopefully this will change.
It seems a shame that the TdH wants to waste its money and resources on suing a couple in this way when it could be doing more useful things surely...

C Bannister, Cardiff, Wales

This so-called charity is a farce. A real charity would be concerned for the children instead of trying to cover their sorry asses. What a pitiful excuse for humanity to protect pedaphiles and not the children because it might hurt their reputation. Wouldn't their standing up for the children actually create more respect? Yes it would.

Roddy McClain, Riverton , Utah, USA

I worked with Jill 7 years ago. she was already having a hard time then. she should be admired, not punished for the stand she has taken. I hope the authorities see sense. Ros.

Ros johnstone, Bucks, UK

It really is truly sad to see the Campbell loosing I am one of ex- Terrdeshommes beneficiary what the Campbell have said is exactly what happened in the village even more discus ting tell to tall and what is shame is they spend donated money to fight couples rather than helping those victims.
When Terrdeshommes left Ethiopia in 2003 there are more than 170 children and young people who left the village when it was closed. They are very vulnerable to social problems: about 25 of them have already been exposed to street life; another 30 – 50 are likely to face street life; around 50 of them have no income of any kind and are totally dependent on their friends and the rest of them live on very low incomes that do not cover their basic needs. in all this it was only the Campbell who stands by as they have supported lots of children medically, have created lots of jobs and educational opportunity. this is the job Terrdeshommes should do.not the Campbell.

Berihun, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

It is appalling that someone who has exposed such wrong doing at great personal sacrifice already, should be bullied and victimised by the very charity she exposed harbouring paedophiles. Jill Campbell should be praised for her tireless campaign against this charity, not vilified. Her wrongful imprisonment must not be allowed by the Ethiopian authorities or the international charity world.

G Cronin, London, UK

I support Jill and Gary 100%. They are fantastic, caring people, who should be praised for their actions, not vilified. Shame on the Ethopian TdH.

Sheila Cronin, Tralee, Co Kerry, Ireland

TdH was caught between a rock and a hard place. If it didn't sue then that could have been construed as an admission that they did cover up the abuse. Now they have sued, and won, but are just as much in the mire for not noticing that the abuse was happening anyway. What worries me is the article states that Christie was dismissed and left Ethiopia. It does not state whether the charity reported Christie to the police.
Either way, the whole charity is now discredited; in football definitely an "own goal". And yes, Tucker, I would like to read the judgement. Why is it not on the TdH website?

Chris D, Edinburgh, Scotland

The teacher has nothing to apologize about, if there is any one to apologies it is the suckers, so called charity organizations that need to apologize and need to be kicked out of the country. The so called charities are there for their own benefit. Although they are called for non profit they siphoned finds using loop holes to benefit themselves. Give me the name of any charity that spend all what it collected in the name of the poor people and spent it all for that purpose. They live laveshesly drive the best cars hire servants like kings and queens and now they are worried about petty stuff rather than being symtetic to the victims.
If any one has to apologies the charity is the one that need to apologies for hiring and enabling a criminal pervert and bring him to unsuspecting nation. Do the charity really have any sense isn't it their responsibility to check back ground of their employee. I wonder what kind of judge will rule in favor of these leeches.

Ascenaki, Asdsa,

Jill and Gary: A great job!

You have done the right thing in standing for the Voiceless!
Yes, you have demonstrated the courage in standing against a mini establishment by " Protecting Children".

Reporting of sexual abuse of children or any other maltreatment should be mandatory every where including in Ethiopia . Just like in Swiss or England, every one should have that right in reporting of suspicious activities such as the one you encountered.

The shameless charity TdH, should be removed from Ethiopia if it continues to its disrespect of Ethiopia’s children.

Aby, Fairfax, VA

Jill and Gary have worked tirelessly and selflessly for others for many many years and deserve recognition for that. If everyone had the same sort of drive and altruism then the world would be a better place.

Louise Lombardi, London,

The Ethiopian government as well as the international society should never tolerate such barbaric action against children. Those who involve in the crime directly or indirectly should be brought to justice. Africa is not a place where sexual predators, under the name of charity, rape, molest, or abuse a child and leave the country.

The TdH group mortified the rest of hard working charity organizations in Ethiopia and Africa as a whole. They should be brought to justice and expelled.

Markose Yehune, Washington, DC,

This example from Ethiopia does nothing to encourage those wanting to stamp out paedophilia across the globe. In the past, various grammar schools and orphanages in the UK were the access points used by paedophiles to source vulnerable children. Now improved UK practices have resulted in these men seeking unprotected children elsewhere. So, what should you do if you suspect that a peson you meet, your colleague or partner is involved in paedophilia? I know of one British woman, who has recently left her husband because of his homosexual activities with an ex-student. The man was teaching at a British grammar school and was instrumental in setting up an overseas children’s charity. She must wonder whether he abused those in his care but what does she do? If she raises her concerns, the reputation of the school concerned will be damaged severely. Moreover, the overseas charity does good work and is sponsored by governmental organizations. No-one wants to be associated with paedophilia.

Jon Gray, London, UK

I was shocked and disgusted when I read the report abou7t the "so called" charity TdH suing Jill Campbell and her husband for exposing the worst crimes against children.How can Collin Tucker hold his head up in Ethiopia and look courageous people like the Campbell in the eye!!!? It seems to me that it is the Campbells who are the charity workers and not the official Swiss charity.What I ask myself is the Swiss Government doing upholding such charities in Africa,the Swiss who pride themselves on being so civilized!!!
Children can suffer hunger,it is only their bodies that feel the pain, but sexual abuse scars their soul, their mental wellbeing for life. I can't understand how the Ethiopian government can allow it's children to be abused and condone the acts of the abusers while punishing the people who do protect Africa's children. Is that the price for help from the Western world,too high!

Marie Kunstmann, Hannover, Germany

It does not resonate with any humane thinking that Jill Campbell should go to jail for exposing child predators. In fact to the contrary TdH - Swiss should have been grateful for helping them stop such crimes being perpetrated against children under their protection. What are their reasons if not vindictiveness? It might be difficult to prove that TdH deliberately let the criminal leave the country without being exposed and tried. But it really smells like a dead rat. The Government should keep this in its records and deal with the TdH appropriately. Their behaviour is characteristically arrogant and complacent. In this particular case even cruel un-worthy of "humanitarian" principles. Getachew.Amsterdam.

Getachew Gebre-Medhin, amsterdam, netherlands

The world should encoureg this kind of people like Mrs and Mr campbell we really apriciat it for finishing TDH policy of silency .

Berihun , Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

I write to support Jill and Gary Campbell, without whom I am convinced this paedophile scandal would have disappeared without prosecution. The eventual prosecution and jailing of David Christie prevented him from opening a childrens’ home in Zambia, where he was preparing to repeat his Ethiopian enterprises. Unfortunately, other ex-members of Terre des Hommes (TdH) staff and their ‘sex tourist’ visitors escaped prosecution.

The Campbells were the only individuals brave enough to publicly challenge TdH and maintain their stance in the face of threats from some members of the organization’s staff. Consequently, the Campbells have lived the last seven years facing court action by TdH. This is a ridiculous situation when all the Campbells wanted was for the paedophiles concerned to be prosecuted, and for TdH to apologise and pay some form of compensation to the boys abused in their ‘supposed’ care.

Ann Williams, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

What should individuals do if they suspect that paedophiles are working with charities helping children? Should they just turn the other way and ignore the abuse? Often these paedophiles are extremely charismatic, highly intelligent and creative individuals who have much to offer…but at what price? In truth, very few of us have the courage to stand up and challenge this kind of situation, especially when our bank balances may be threatened.

Obviously, nobody wants his or her organization’s name to be associated with paedophilia. Charities such as TdH do not want their corporate donors and fund raising to be affected by paedophile scandal. However, it defies belief that they have continued with their persecution of Jill and Gary Cambell. Isn’t it time that TdH left the Campbells alone, apologized to the abused boys and provided some proper compensation?

Ann Williams, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

This beggars belief.

Mr. Tucker declines to discuss the charity's motives. His suggestion that we read the judgement is rubbish. Let TdH publish it on its website. I searched for it there in vain. Nor can I find any reference to Ethiopia. Is this because harbouring paedophiles (knowingly or otherwise) is just a little embarrasing?

Moreover, why is "country director David Christie" also known as David Allan? Why was he removed? Strange!

Here's some suggested actions until TdH explain themselves.

Sponsoring TdH? STOP! Demand TdH tell you why YOUR contributions were being used in this action.

About to give funds to TdH? DON'T!

About to volunteer for TdH? DON'T!

Already volunteer for TdH? WITHDRAW! COMPLAIN (word it carefully) TO YOUR MANAGER ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP.

For the rest, write to your MP asking the Foreign Office to take this up. Write to the Swiss Ambassador. Demand an explanation from the TdH Board.

Tell everyone; make sure TdH gets fullest publicity.

Alan, London,

All TdH are doing, is making sure they get very little, if any charity donations. I'd hate to think of the type of people who are still willing to give to them. Vested interest I say.

Arthur, Newcastle,

To be fair, TDH’s charter declares that it devotes itself to those children “. . . at risk of hunger, sickness, abandonment, misery, persecution or of any such difficulty” but says nothing about those in its care being molested by their employees so it is, at least, consistent. Terre des hommes will, according to its website, “. . . attempt to alert and rally human society to the infinite distress of countless children.” It says nothing about not persecuting those who rally human society to abuse by TdH staff of the defenceless. One wonders how those who have given to this charity feel about their money being used to attack the apparently wonderful Jill Cambell.

Derek Smith, Brighton, UK

It is sad to see that the ethiopian GVT. stands with abusers instead of standing for victimes and whitle blowers.This showes that african leaders care more for paedophiles than their own poor street kids.

Gebru, texas, USA

It is sickening to read about a so called "charity organization" with members who ,are nothing but pedophiles prying on poor children. Instead of expressing grattitude TdH is suing the whistle-blowers. Mr. Tucker and his staff should examin themselves and their "charity" should be listed as a criminal organization encouraging pedophelia. And if so, they should face prison terms in hell. That is "the judgement " for you, Colin Tucker.
The Campbells' need to be admired for their courage to speak-up on behalf of the voiceless children.and court should dismiss the TdH law suit. I ask my fellow Ethiopians to express their grattitude to the Campbells' and out-rage to TdH.

Charity organizations are the means of neo-colonization of Africa! They force their religion into the houses of the needy. "Come to our church on Sunday and you will get Wheat or Barley". In Ethiopia that is how Protestant churches are spreading.
And now we have to deal with their pedophiles! It has to stop!

Eyob Hailu, USA,

To have a sound judgment on the matter, it would have been better to publicize how the court procedure went on in passing the verdict. I am sure, the Ethiopian court has found a concrete evidence to pass a judgment like that. This abuses by aid workers upon poor people in Ethiopia is a usual phenomenon, but seeing the higher benefit to the country, Government has been tolerant to such immoral acts done upon its citizens.
Enough is enough! a criminal is a criminal, whether black of white, British or Ethiopian. It is usual that top criminals walk around with good public profiles to cover up their wicked deeds.

wuhib bayou, baltimore, US