United Nations Federal Credit Union :: Together, We Can Move Mountains

• What is the Kilimanjaro Initiative
• Empowering Youth
• Raising Funds / Awareness for Safer Cities
• How You Can Help

UNFCU VISA CARD What is the Kilimanjaro Initiative
Every year, Timothy Challen, founder of Kilimanjaro Initiative and a staff member with UNFCU Geneva Representative Office, leads a group of 30 climbers to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa to literally move mountains and encourage safer, cleaner and on the whole better cities.

Last February, representatives from the private and public sectors, Kenyan musician Gidi Gidi and former Marathon Champion Douglas Wakiihuri, scouts, as well as 10 youths from Nairobi slums and Tanzania who were sponsored by UNFCU, demonstrated the need to overcome adversity by climbing to the “rooftop of Africa.”

In view of the recent wave of violence that has hit Kenya, following recent elections, this year’s climb called for ‘Peace’ and ‘Unity,’ as part of a planned Kenyan National Youth Crime Prevention Week (23 February - 1 March 2008). On 1 March 2008, climbers returned to Nairobi and attended a 'Peace' concert organized at KICC to display a 'Peace Banner' that they had taken to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Overall, the Kilimanjaro Initiative’s goal is to support youths in becoming agents of affirmative change, encouraging them to lead community development programs and helping them channel their energies. To this end, the Kilimanjaro Initiative has already helped upgrade a sports field in Kibera. For his part, Challen sustained injuries as a result of a robbery in Nairobi in 2003 and founded the Initiative in 2006, as a means to affect positive change in individuals’ lives.

Empowering Youth
Since 2006, 30 young women and men from impoverished communities in Kenya and Tanzania, selected with the help of UN-HABITAT, have taken part in the ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro. The youth trained for the expedition via an Outward Bound Program sponsored by UNFCU and in reaching the summit, proved to themselves and their peers that one can succeed at whatever one sets ones sights on -- whether scaling 5,895 meters/19,340 feet, completing school, working towards the betterment of communities and inspiring others.

Raising Funds / Awareness for Safer Cities
The climb raises funds for community-based projects directed towards crime prevention and jumpstarting development, such as business creation programs and the renovation of a local soccer stadium. Based on its positive, direct impact on the initiatives supported by UN-HABITAT in East Africa, the Kilimanjaro Initiative has become an annual event, generating widespread visibility to further the goal of safer cities. United Nations Specialized Agencies, various missions, NGOs and UNFCU are demonstrating their support through the promotion of the climb, sponsorship of youth and program funding.

How You Can Help
In support of the Kilimanjaro Initiative, UNFCU is offering Pre-Paid VISA® gift cards* in denominations of US $25, US $50, and US $100 available to our members and their families. Pre-Paid VISA gift cards are accepted anywhere you see the VISA logo. Purchaser will be charged a $2.50 card-issuing fee per pre-paid-card, which UNFCU will donate directly to Urban Safety projects supported by UN-HABITAT.

Three Easy Steps To Purchase a Pre-Paid VISA card:

Logon to Internet Banking
Click on “Online Forms”,
(located in the top navigation bar)
Click on the “Pre-Paid VISA^® Gift Card” request form and follow the directions to complete your purchase/donation

Click here to logon to Internet Banking.

Funds generated from this climb will support grassroots projects in
East Africa, such as:

Community development
Start-up funding for small businesses
Counseling, skills training and sports programs

* A maximum of ten (10) Kilimanjaro pre-paid cards can be purchased per member during the promotional period. Pre-paid cards are not available for purchase at the representative Offices. Only US $50 pre-paid cards are available at the New York branches. All denominations are available for sale via the Call Centre and Internet Banking.

This credit union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). Accounts and shares are insured by the Administration to the maximum insurance amount for each member or shareholder. Unless otherwise noted, fees may be associated with certain products and services. Certain UNFCU products and services are subject to approval. Federal and state laws may limit the availability of certain products and services in select areas. Granting credit facilities is prohibited in certain jurisdictions if it leads to the consumer becoming over indebted.