March 4, 2008

An international team of climbers has successfully completed an ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro on behalf of the Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada (CDF). 
The climb was the brainchild of Ken Doleman, CEO of Swan Valley Credit Union in Manitoba and included Wakhigoma (Tom) Tibarnwenda, Chairman of the Board of the Uganda Co-operative Alliance, and Jen Muldoon, a Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) youth intern in Uganda and a long-time employee of  Mountain Equipment Co-op.
Reached in Uganda where he is mid-way through a CCA credit union coaching assignment, Mr. Doleman described the climb as a success on several levels.  
“We have been successful in raising money inside and outside of the co-operative community for the Co-operative Development Foundation,” he said, “money that is badly needed in the struggle against poverty in Africa, and in other parts of the world. It was also a success in building profile for CCA and its partners such as the Uganda Co-operative Alliance as they transform communities through co-op and credit union development.  And the climb also strengthened and deepened the very special partnership that these two organizations share. Together we faced some considerable hardships on that mountain, including acute altitude sickness, which we dealt with as a team.”
Speaking by cell phone from Mbarara in Western Uganda, Mr. Doleman said his work with credit unions in the days since the climb has reminded him again why he took on this challenge.  He said he has encountered delightful, optimistic people who are working hard to build their co-operatives and communities.
“I hope our success on the mountain can contribute in some small way to the success of our partners as they take on the enormous challenge of poverty in this beautiful part of the world.”
The Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada is a registered charity that raises money for the international development work of the Canadian Co-operative Association.  People who have pledged support for the Kilimanjaro climb are encouraged to honour those pledges as soon as possible and unpledged contributions to commemorate the success of the climb are also welcome.