SINGAPORE — The Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions reported it raised more than US $40,000 during the Supporter’s Reception at the 2018 World Credit Union Conference for the Busia Compassionate Centre in Busia, Kenya.
During the annual Worldwide Foundation Supporter’s Reception at the Gardens by the Bay in Singapore, Executive Director Mike Reuter asked supporters to make a pledge to reach the $50,000 needed to build a wall around the orphanage to ensure the long-term security of its staff and more than 90 orphans.
“Cooperatively, credit unions can make a difference in the lives of millions worldwide,” said Worldwide Foundation Chair Bill Cheney. “Raising funds for the wall at the Busia Orphanage is another example of credit unions coming together and changing lives.”
During an engagement visit to the orphanage in March, Worldwide Foundation volunteers planted gardens including bananas and other fruit trees, worked on projects improving the orphanage kitchen and play areas that provide the love and care needed to give the children food security, a safe home and a sense of family and financial inclusion – many for the first time in their lives, according to the World Council of Credit Unions.
Two CUs Help Get Things Started
Funding for this secure barrier was kicked off prior to the conference by Numerica Credit Union in Spokane, Wash., and Vermont Federal Credit Union in Burlington, raising the initial $20,000 to spark their peers to contribute during the Supporter’s Reception.
Credit unions and companies that made this effort possible include: CU Direct, Ontario, Calif.; Fairfax County FCU, Virginia; Financial Partners CU, Downey, Calif.; Holiday Coast Credit Union in Australia; Jefferson Financial Credit Union in Metairie, La.; KUSCCO LTD, Nairobi, Kenya; Mitchell, Stankovic & Associates in Boulder City, Nev.; Premier Members Credit Union in Boulder, Colo.; PSCU, St. Petersburg, Fla.; Servus Credit Union, Alberta, Canada; Unitus Community Credit Union, Portland, Ore., and Unity Bank, Australia.
Individuals who made contributions include Paul Burkart, Bill & Chrissy Cheney, Bobbie Deegan, Marc & Linda Ecker, Jimmy Flythe, Becky Marchant, Rafal Matusiak, Maurice & Diane Smith, and Joe Thomas.
The World Council said those interested in the project can stay connected to the construction of the Busia Orphanage wall by reading updates through the new blog, “Field Notes” on the Worldwide Foundation’s website at www.DoGlobalGood.org.