First West Credit Union said it will donate $50,000 to helpalleviate global poverty and support the development of creditunions in Africa, Asia and the Americas.

The donation will be made to the Co-operative DevelopmentFoundation of Canada's Build a Better World campaign, according tothe Langley, British Columbia-based First West, which has $7.1billion in assets under administration.

First West's contribution is part of a $150,000 commitment tothe program over three years, the credit union said. The CDFinitiative endeavors to raise $12 million over four years.

In past years, First West leaders have traveled to Ghana,Malawi, Uganda, Taiwan, Sri Lanka and Botswana to participate inthe credit union coaching program and a women's leadership forum,sharing information and learning from cooperatives overseas, FirstWest said.

Additionally, Launi Skinner, CEO of First West, was recentlyjoined by five other credit union CEOs on the CDF's Journey Out of Poverty tour to Cambodia. There, they spent ninedays learning first-hand about poverty alleviation throughcooperatives in developing countries.

“The work international credit unions and cooperatives undertakein countries around the world is literally life changing,” Skinnersaid. “For First West to be part of that life change is such aprivilege, whether it's leading through our financial support ormentoring support.”

Over the past 50 years, the CDF said it has worked inpartnership with the Canadian Co-operative Association, anorganization that First West has supported for over a decade, contributing over$305,000 to international development efforts.

Complementing this financial support is First West's commitmentto other CCA initiatives including its Women's MentorshipProgram.

This year, First West will be hosting Martha Kwaw, branchmanageress of Shama Community Co-operative Credit Union in Ghanafor ten days. During this time, Kwaw will gain insight on loanapplications and delinquency, savings mobilization, marketing andfinancial reporting that will make SHACCU more self-reliant,according to First West.

The Women's Mentorship Program began in 2002 after the CCA notedthat there was a lack of professional development for women inAfrican and Asia, First West. A plan was made to connect creditunion women leaders in developing countries with Canadian creditunion knowledge and expertise.

This year, 16 women from eight countries will be participatingin the program, bringing the total number of participants to 176women from 18 countries since the program's inception.