Volume 3, Number 6  December 1st, 2009

Investing in people for the return of a lifetime

Canada's credit unions devoted over 1,000 days of service last year to help families around the globe move out of poverty. They did this by helping CCA credit union partners in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Eastern Europe mobilize member savings, kickstart small businesses and establish credit union-friendly laws. This month Dispatch offers a glimpse into some of the activities and people engaged in this work. 

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The days are long and the work is intense but they don't mind. So say the forty-six Canadian credit union and co-operative professionals who took on overseas assignments for the Canadian Co-operative Association last year. 

 

Jeannette Holmden with manager, Ampeire Godian; accountant Kwizeera Charles loans officers Atuheire Owen and Kwizeera Harshiim at the Kidevo Savings and Credit Co-operative Organization in Kahiihi, Uganda.

 

"I don't think you can put a price tag on the value the coaching program brings to credit unions in Uganda," says PSE Credit Union CEO Jeannette Holmden who left her home and family in Moncton NB in 2009 to spend two-weeks helping credit unions in that country. 

 

Leonard Msemakweli, Executive Director of the Uganda Co-operative Alliance Ltd (UCA), agrees. He credits the partnership between CCA and UCA for helping communities in Uganda rebuild their shattered credit unions and bring economic opportunities to hundreds of thousands of women, men and youth.
 
"It means liberation from ignorance, poverty and external dependency," he says. 
 
Jeannette Holmeden is one of a growing number of Canadian credit union and co-operative professionals who are finding an outlet for their desire to join the fight to end global poverty through CCA's international development program.
 
CCA Senior Director of International Development Jo-anne Ferguson says technical support provided by skilled volunteers from the credit union system is crucial for helping credit unions in the developing world help their members move out of poverty.
 
"Each year Canadian credit union professionals answer our call to bring Canada's international credit union development program to the aid of people in need," she says. "It's life changing for everyone involved."
 
Take a closer look at these examples of past and upcoming missions...

 

 

Assisting credit unions in Sierra Leone

 

New Governance Training and Mentorship Program set for Malawi

 

Canadians stengthening credit unions in Mongolia 

 

Credit union professionals return to Ghana

 

Next Women's Mentorship Program set for May, 2010 

 

CCA coaches to help credit unions in Malawi and Uganda 

 

Working with credit unions in Barbados and Belize

 

Everything you always wanted to know about CCA's international program (but were afraid to ask)

 

 

Watch for these upcoming CCA opportunities...

  • Governance Mission to Ghana: November 2010  
  • Co-op Study Tour to Guatemala: fall of 2010

Find out more about current and future CCA postings for overseas assignments