Merlyn Power

After our visit to Puerto Vallarta and Pasitos de Luz, we began our research to find companies and businesses focusing on renewable energy in order to find a way to lower the electricity cost at the facility. Our research led us to Meryln Power Renewable Energy Systems and it's founder Scott Cooper. Scott's enthusiasm was evident from the beginning as he was very interested in collaborating with Isa Mundo and we were glad to have the opportunity to partner with Canadian company.

Merlyn Power is a growing business in the Kitchener/Waterloo, Ontario region. They have been in operation since 2003 and have installed approximately 140 different solar energy systems in the Waterloo Region and surrounding area. Marlyn Power works in the areas of consulting on the energy and resource efficiency of new buildings; service of older solar water heating and pool heating systems; design of solar energy systems for thermal and electric applications; and, installation of solar energy equipment and drainwater heat recovery exchanger.

And now, Merlyn Power will be extending their work all the way to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. We would like to say a big "muchas gracias" to Scott and Merlyn Power for wanting to better the lives of the children at Pasitos!

Check out Merlyn Power's website at:
http://www.merlynpower.ca/

Solar Panels at Pasitos

Last June, we travelled to Puerto Vallarta and visited Pasitos de Luz, a centre that provides assistance for families with disabled children. You can check out our Pasitos de Luz write-up under Children & Youth for more information.

In the last few months, we have been working with a Scott Cooper, Founder and Owner of Merlyn Power Renewable Energy Systems, a company focused on renewable energy systems and energy efficiency in residential and commercial buildings in the Waterloo Region and the surrounding area (check out separate blog to find out more about Scott and his company).

In March 2010, Scott and an Isa Mundo volunteer (Pierre Lacasse) will be heading to Pasitos de Luz to install the solar panels which will be used to heat the water for the use of the therapeutic bath. We are excited about the completion of this project as this will be another solar powered initiative for Isa Mundo. Stay tuned for more updates and photos!

Helping Hand to Haiti Campaign

Since the devastating earthquake hit Haiti, many of you have been asking if Isa Mundo will be fundraising to help rebuild Haiti. Although we don't have any projects in Haiti, we have decided to launch our "Helping Hand to Haiti Campaign", where for the next 30 days we will be dedicating our "Change for Change Campaign" to the people and communities of Haiti.

We will be partnering up with the Canadian Red Cross to bring the much needed supplies to the people of Haiti. Check out our campaign poster on our home page. Remember, a small change can make a huge difference!

Isa Mundo in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Isa Mundo made it's first site visits to Dominican Republic in December 2009 near the resort town of Punta Cana. Despite the economic success brought about by the tourism industry, there are still communities that are coping with poverty and other related social problems.

Isa Mundo believes there are opportunities in Dominican to complete environmental and education projects. Isa Mundo was able to see firsthand the infamous Reef Ball Foundation's reef ball projects which have been installed in front of hotels on the southern side of Dominican republic for purposes for beach restoration. The mission of the Reef Ball Foundation “is to rehabilitate our world's ocean reef ecosystems and to protect our natural reef systems using Reef Ball artificial reef technologies. Reef Balls are artificial reef modules placed in the ocean to form reef habitat” (www.reefball.org). Isa Mundo was guided by Miguel Cabral, Reef Ball Dominicana (Reef Ball Foundation partner for Dominican Republic) on a breezy, sun-drenched day in the Caribbean. The snorkeling excursion began from the white sand beach in front of the Grand Dominicus hotel and headed east over a few hundred reef balls. It is evident that the logistics of getting so many concrete Reef Balls into place must have been a challenge, but they have certainly stood the test of time (even through a hurricane), have prevented further erosion of sand from the beach and have increased the amount of sand creating a larger sand beach. Further details of this project can be found at their website. We would like to thank Miguel and the Reef Ball Foundation for the tour – the Isa Mundo Foundation looks forward to exploring future collaborations to help carry out the Reef Ball Foundation’s mission of protecting our oceans.

Isa Mundo was also able to learn about the organization called FESONAP (Fundación Ecológica y Social Natura Park) who is doing work to promote conservation and ecotourism to the local community. We were fortunate to meet FESONAP member Juan Carlos Sanchez, who gave Isa Mundo the history of the foundation, the national protected park nearby and a local school and community in need of support.

The Isa Mundo Foundation looks forward to exploring future collaborations with our new friends in Dominican. We will keep you updated as we progress. We will also have Isa Mundoers visiting the area in February and in March, bringing donations and much needed supplies to communities, a school and an orphanage.

Maligayang Paslit 2009

The 10th Annual Maligayang Paslit was a hit! Once again,
Isa Mundo was the main sponsor for this event which hosted over 500 children in the village of Bambang, Bulacan, Philippines! We would like to thank Benjo and the Bambang Youth Association for their dedication to the children of Bambang! Thank you for providing Isa Mundo with the opportunity to sponsor such an amazing event for children!

Happy holidays!

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, Nicaragua, Guatemala, India 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, des Philippines, du Nicaragua, du Guatemala et en Inde.

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!

Children's Day in Goa

On November 20th we sponsored our first children’s day event in India in partnership with Grace Educational Foundation, an organization that provides learning opportunities to children in need. The children’s day celebration was organized in the small village of Betim Ramnagar, and was attended by almost sixty children between the ages of 2 and 12. The children, parents, educators and community members enjoyed many activities around the theme "what would your like to be when you grow up?"...imagination was running wild...children dressed up, performed and enjoyed eating lots of food and treats. Each child received a storybook and a set of crayons to take home with them to continue the fun...this is the first of many celebrations to come!