Hola Entreamigos!

Isa Mundo was able to travel to San Francisco, Nayarit this month to visit a local and important non profit organization called Entremigos. This organization was founded in 2006 in the town the locals call, San Pancho and was launched as a space to teach arts and crafts to local youth and citizens. But with commitment and passion from volunteers, expats, tourists, businesses and other non profit organizations, Entreamigos is now an important institution that has a strong focus on environmentalism, education, families and community development.

This evident in its large facility that has been renovated and designed from mostly recycled and re-claimed materials. Entreamigos also has a coffee shop, library, retail shops and an impressive recycling program that provide employment and skills to local citizens and entrepreneurs. 

During Isa Mundo's visit, we learned about the commitment of Entreamigos to limit as much waste as possible from going to landfills, to collect as much recyclable plastic, paper, bottles and other materials

by partnering with businesses, residents and tourists to ensure San Pancho can be a model for environmental and conservation initiatives. Through education and job creation, Entreamigos has expanded its model to other communities in the Jalisco and Nayarit region.

Isa Mundo donated much needed school supplies and laptops during its visit and we are now assessing how we can provide additional support in the future. We hope to return this year to Entreamigos and begin to strengthen our relationship with the organization and the community of San Pancho. Visit the Entreamigos website to learn more about its story and commitment in environmental sustainability. 

Thank you / Gracias.

International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination

March 21 is International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The United Nations observes the day to remind member states and citizens to continue to confront systemic racism and discrimination in communities, institutions and work spaces including profiling, anti-religious hate, employment and education opportunities, health care and rejection of all basic human rights.

Since its inception, Isa Mundo has always funded projects that promote equality and access to basic primary education, supported health initiatives and highlighted the lack of services to less fortunate children and youth in communities. We continue to work and collaborate with local non profit organizations in communities we serve and assist in strengthening their capacity to meet their objectives.

We support this year's theme of “VOICES FOR ACTION AGAINST RACISM” - and we call on all our members and volunteers to join us in: "highlighting the importance of strengthening meaningful and safe public participation and representation in all areas of decision-making to prevent and combat racial discrimination; reaffirming the importance of full respect for the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and of protecting civic space; and recognizing the contribution of individuals and organizations that stand up against racial discrimination and the challenges they face." UN website.

To learn more about this year's theme visit the International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination website.

Image from: https://www.un.org/en/observances/end-racism-day

Black History Month

February is Black History Month and provides all of us the opportunity to celebrate the many contributions, influence and achievements of Black and African Canadians in our communities and cultural landscape of Canada. But it is also a time to highlight the continued inequality, oppression and racism endured by the Black community and our shared responsibilities to address anti-Black racism in all its forms along with systemic racism.

Isa Mundo is committed to support Black non-profit and charitable groups providing services and aid to various organizations and tackling continued racism and inequalities that are facing the Black community. Isa Mundo has supported and donated this month to the Support Black Charities organization (SBC). SBC is an "online portal that connects Black-led and Black focused charitable organizations to supporters and allies in the community. Our mission is to inspire compassion and generosity while increasing visibility of organizations serving the Black community worldwide."

Isa Mundo provided support to upgrade SBC's website to improve user experience and increase its marketing to raise brand awareness and visibility. We hope that our contribution will allow SBC to continue its work in serving the Black community in Canada and worldwide through the dedicated work of Black non-profit and charitable organizations it partners with.

To learn more about SBC and it's work, visit the Support Black Charities website.

 

Image is part of the Hope Through Ashes: A Requiem for Hogan’s Alley by Anthony Joseph. 2020 Vancouver Mural Festival. Georgia Viaduct, Main and Union St.

The DREAM Project

We wanted to highlight a charity in Dominican Republic that has been doing work since 1995. The DREAM Project supports various youth initiatives that have transformed lives of thousands of youth through education, leadership training and socio-economic opportunities. 

DREAM's vision is that all children born in the Dominican Republic have the opportunity to receive an education and learn to their full potential. It is our hope that our efforts can be multiplied to allow the opportunity for every child’s gifts and challenges to be met with support nationwide. It is our goal to break the cycle of poverty and change peoples’ destinies. It is our dream that the world will be a better place for the children and families of the next generation.

We are inviting members and volunteers who might be traveling to Dominican Republic in 2022 to visit DREAM and meet its staff, students and community members. This is one organization that we have been waiting to collaborate with but we will need to do a site visit to assess the best way to support the organization based on our capacity and resources. We look forward to the day Isa Mundo visits DREAM and forms a partnership to help the youth of the Dominican Republic.

To learn more about the DREAM Project: www.dominicandream.org

TAO Education Fund @ Boca de Tomatlan

Happy New Year -  Feliz Año Nuevo - Bonne anné! We wish all our members, supporters, partners, volunteers and everyone the very best for a peaceful, healthy and prosperous 2022!

We want to start the year by highlighting the first official funded event for TAO Education Fund  (TEF) in Boca de Tomatlan. The end of the calendar school year (2021) was held at the rooftop of La Posada Pacifica and coordinated by owner Cynthia Leigh who is also the lead and founder of the Boca de Tomatlan Community Education Program. The event was to acknowledge and provide awards to deserving students and to celebrate their achievements. Isa Mundo will continue to provide financial support to communities and education projects and we are grateful for those who contributed to the TEF. 

Highlights from the TEF event can be seen at the Boca de Tomatlan Community Education Program page.

Happy Holidays / Joyeuses Fêtes!

Dear friends of the Isa Mundo Foundation, This past year, with your support and contributions, we were able to help children, families, and communities in Mexico and the Philippines. On behalf of all those who have benefited from your generosity, we at the Isa Mundo Foundation thank you wholeheartedly for your ongoing support and commitment to improving the present and future of so many. We look forward to the upcoming year as we continue, together, to make a difference in the lives of those in need. Happy Holidays! 

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Chers amis de la fondation Isa Mundo, Grâce à votre appui et vos contributions, nous avons pu faire une différence dans la vie de plusieurs enfants, familles et communautés du Mexique et des Philippines. Tous les gens qui ont profité de votre générosité, ainsi que la Fondation Isa Mundo, vous sont reconnaissants et vous remercient d’avoir contribué à leur bien-être d’aujourd’hui et de demain. Nous vous souhaitons tous de Joyeuses Fêtes!

Making A Difference: Casa Connor / Pasitos de Luz Fundraising

We want to remind all our members and supporters that the second annual Making A Difference on-line auction is now underway. All proceeds from this important event is to ensure the continuation and improvement of all the necessary services offered by Pasitos de Luz at Casa Connor. 

As most of you know, we have been visiting Casa Connor for years and have contributed resources, funding and brought groups to Mexico to see and meet the amazing staff and of course, the wonderful kids and their families.

This year is an important one as we slowly recover economically and socially from the pandemic. As much as individuals, families, communities and businesses have suffered, non profit organizations worldwide have either closed or doing minimal service to those in needs. Casa Connor provides service and support that are unlike anything else in the Jalisco/Nayarit region. It is not just a safe and nurturing place for children and youth with disabilities but it is also a medical centre. It provides physical, medical, speech therapy, nutrition and even respite relief for families. And all services are free of charge!

We encourage you all to visit the on-line site and contribute what you can. The auction can be accessed at Making A Difference 2.

 Thank you / Gracias / Merci