HARAHAN, La. – Dublin is a not a city easily quantified; it is aplace of energy. These are words some use to describe Ireland'scapital city. Perhaps they also describe Anne Cochran, an Irishnative who, in addition to fulfilling her role as president andchief executive officer of the Louisiana Credit Union League, hasenergetically labored with World Council of Credit Unions in recentyears to help emerging credit union systems in at least fiveAfrican nations. Her involvement with Africa began six years agowhen WOCCU asked LCUL to host Robert Mbeza, vice president of theMalawi credit union league, as an intern. She agreed, and since hasalso hosted Sylvester Kadzola, the league president, for aweek-long visit in Louisiana. Shortly after Mbeza's visit, anotheropportunity arose. One of Cochran's board members, Richard Turnley,CEO of Southern Parents & Teachers Federal Credit Union and aformer state senator, had been appointed by the governor to aninternational trade committee. Before heading to a meeting in CapeTown, South Africa, Turnley asked Cochran if there were any creditunions there. Cochran referred him to WOCCU. After discoveringseveral credit union projects in South Africa had yielded dismalresults, LCUL with the assistance of WOCCU and Turnley agreed tohost six South African interns. They mentored them at the Leaguelevel and placed them in credit unions around the state to helpthem understand what their credit unions could become. “There hadbeen a lot of donor money over the years, but credit unions had notseen growth,” Cochran said. “It's a country that could and shouldbe developed, but for some reason it hasn't taken off there. Eventoday the movement has not grown comparable to the population;credit union membership hovers around 15,000 in a country with apopulation of 44 million. “Being not that long after apartheid, theSouth African interns told us we treated them with so muchhospitality and kindness. They had never been treated like that intheir lives. We were taking care of needs – education, etc. – butthey saw it as so much more,” she said. Subsequently, CUNA Mutualmade a grant available to WOCCU to work on three projects in SouthAfrica. Again, results just were not there. So the organizationspulled back to re-strategize. The resulting arrangement was a teamapproach in which WOCCU put a representative in Cape Town to managethe credit unions until they became solvent, with the help of donorfunding. Anne Cochran served as consultant. “Eventually [funding]bypassed WOCCU and went directly to the South African league tostabilize one credit union completely. I did consulting with theUniversity of the Western Cape credit union and CME in Cape Town.Both are making progress. I did less with UWC – design of marketingbrochures and so forth – but I understand it's doing well. For CME,we developed and printed brochures, gave advice on delinquency,lending and rates. I did a planning session for them, worked on abusiness plan and spent time with their board. CME is now solvent,”Cochran declared. “When I tell you they are solvent and they havecurrent financial statements, I want to reach up and touch themoon. That's so insignificant here, because that's what you have todo. Over there, it takes a lot of moral support to get them tocomplete financials and complete them on time.” As the need forassistance in the three South African credit unions diminished,WOCCU asked Cochran to serve as a speaker at the Africa SACCA(South African Credit Cooperative Association) Congress, a forumfor networking and education of credit unions across the Africancontinent. This year's Congress was held in Swaziland last week;last year it was held in Uganda. “Attendance has been steadilyincreasing. I think we had 300 people representing 23 countrieslast year,” Cochran said. “Some drive many hours to the conferencedestination, because they have no funds to fly. Some take off workwithout pay to further their education. I am privileged to speak atthese events.” While in Uganda last year, Cochran facilitated aplanning session for the Ugandan league, which has fueled anongoing work relationship. “Working with their league is secondnature because of our own league,” she said. “They're coming offrough times with bad credibility. I'm helping them with advice andlittle things. For example, we're purchasing 50 InternationalCredit Union Day posters to take to credit unions in Kampala and tothe registry of cooperatives, and maybe to the parliament to get aproclamation – things we do here that are so routine. They can'tcookie cutter what we have here, but they can take our informationand tweak it.” This year LCUL invited Jackson Rwakishaija, chairmanof the Uganda league, to the LCUL annual meeting. Years ofmismanagement have created a public relations challenge for Ugandanleague officials. Cochran is a source of encouragement because shehas revived an ailing league. “I took over a league 16 years agothat was totally insolvent, with negative consolidated retainedearnings, and an operating line of credit (cash used) of $240,000.His circumstances are much worse. I have to be sure Jacksonrealizes that what he saw in his experiences with us has taken us along time to achieve. “They have a long row to hoe. It's an uphillbattle trying to build credibility and offer programs and servicesand not have the funding to do it. I'm not a league that is flushwith money. I can't send thousands of dollars,” Cochran said. “ButI can share talent, time and ideas and develop materials andsamples. In Uganda, I definitely see, sense, and feel with everypart of my being an appreciation for whatever we do. Totalappreciation.” Through CUNA Mutual, Cochran is currently helpingdevelop a CUNA Management School-style program in Nairobi, Kenya.SWAMI (Strathmore-WOCCU African Management Institute) will providea week-long management track three times per year and a three-dayvolunteer track once each year for African credit unions. The firstinstitute is scheduled to begin Nov. 8. “Strathmore Universityinstructors will teach the modules. I'll sit in the back ofclassroom to make sure we stay on top of the goals and objectives,”Cochran said. While Cochran encourages other LCUL staff members toget involved in WOCCU projects, she does most of the internationaltravel. “I travel because I have the all-around experience from theLeague and credit union standpoint. The fact that I'm Irish hassomething to do with it, but I can't tell you what. There'ssomething in me that does reach out. But it's not just me going tothese countries. It's a whole League effort. I think our boarddeserves credit for being supportive of our involvement. We arereaching out to help people, which is the root of the credit unionphilosophy. Most of the time I feel like a grain of sand on thebeach. I feel like the effort is so insignificant, because whenyou're there, there is so much to be done.” Cochran calls herself aworkaholic. Her kids are grown and she names credit unions as heronly hobby. She credits divine order for her career path. “What canI say? Things happen for a reason. I was going to be an Irishmother with five children – I have two. I never intended to be aLeague president.but I love the spontaneity of bringing asuggestion that helps somebody.” And that's exactly what she'sdoing in her international role. “I'll go and do whatever WorldCouncil asks me to do, wherever they feel, knowing my talents andmy strengths. If I can reach out and help a developing countryanywhere, I'll do it.” -

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