Kathleen M wrote on 04-03-2017

RUN! Avoid This Organization At All Costs!

This organization was not prepared to send myself and 3 others to Kenya. We ended up with no work visas and I had a difficult time finally getting all my papers in order so I could leave the country ( I had malaria and needed to get back for medical attention but was delayed several weeks due to LMH at first indifference and then incompetence. The director ( Janice England) actually suggested to my father that perhaps paying off officials to get visa might be the way to resolve it ( i.e.: bribing). ARE YOU KIDDING ME? My father, an attorney was beyond speechless. I do believe that would constitute a felony even in Kenya. The matter was finally resolved after several weeks after constant calling Janice from me and my family. ( the American embassy said if I was arrested they could do nothing as I was illegally in the country. An organization that sends folks overseas to work should, in my option, first and foremost respect the laws of those countries and certainly protect their workers by insuring that they have valid visas and work permits. Janice kept telling us don't worry everyone does it. ( this was after I was already there and realized the situation I was in) Btw The parish they sent us to was run by a totally corrupt priest who only wanted money from us and we had to find places on our own in the dioceses to work, which there were plenty of wonderful parishes and orphanages and schools but yet we were sent to the most notorious parish priest in the diocese. Myself and the others with me felt there was no support from the director (Janice England) and found out later she had been bad mouthing us to the priest at the parish and I still have her emails to him that he inadvertently sent to me. This was a very troubling and negative experience for all of us ( one positive is we 4 bonded closely and are good friends still) I have before and since worked for many lay catholic organizations successfully and happily but I recommend avoiding this organization.