Season's Greetings

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!

Salamat po IMEC

We visited the Bambang Elementary School (BES) today and spoke to the lead teacher and tech support that operates the Isa Mundo Education Centre (IMEC). We toured the original IMEC space and new classrooms where our donated laptops and supplies are being used.

We were informed that BES has a 100% graduation rate allowing all children the opportunity to continue to high school. We are proud of the many accomplishments of the IMEC and its students and we are proud to be a part of their success. We have tremendous respect and gratitude for all teachers at the BES and the passion they have shown to improve the educational opportunities of students. We are committed to support and improve the IMEC and will continue to provide much needed technology to the school.

We are looking forward to our next visit in Bambang and hearing more success stories from students and teachers.

Salamat po / Thank you

Isa Mundo Mexico Visit

Mundoers are currently in Mexico to complete the last visit of 2019 in Jalisco State. It has been a successful year with renewed partnerships with the Global Young Leaders Network (GYLN), Air Transat, Grainger Wealth Management and passionate individuals.

We visited Boca de Tomatlan school and continue to be impressed with the positive influence of the IMEC in improving the educational opportunities of students in Boca. The IMEC has become a hub of activities with the small library, access to laptops, English classes and art and craft sessions. We hope to continue supporting the IMEC and strengthen the partnership with GYLN to collaborate on future projects. One objective is to find a way to fund a part-time teacher to assist the lead teacher, Cynthia Leigh - in keeping the learning centre and school activities operating.

We also traveled to visit Pasitos de Luz at Casa Connor and were inspired by the staff and volunteers doing so much for the children in this amazing facility. The children are nurtured in a healthy and loving environment supported by community members, caregivers, health experts and visitors who donate time and financial contributions to improve the situation of the children.

We will continue to support and promote these projects to our network of funders and volunteers and look forward to our next visit in 2020.

International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples

Every year, the Isa Mundo Foundation acknowledges and celebrates the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. According to the United Nations (UN), it is estimated that 370 million Indigenous people inhabit the globe, representing 5% of the world's population. Indigenous peoples and communities are diverse with distinct languages, cultures and traditional knowledge and help protect 80% of the world's diversity.*

Isa Mundo develops additional strategy regarding the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) to ensure that our projects are inclusive and appropriate consultations are completed in every stage of the project.

Isa Mundo continues to partner with Indigenous people in regions we work and has supported and completed projects in Peru, Guatemala and Mexico in collaboration with local organizations, community members and leaders.

We acknowledge that our office in Ottawa, Ontario is located on the traditional unceded territories of the Algonquin nation. Our office in Vancouver, British Columbia is located on the shared unceded territories of the Musqueam, Skxwú7mesh, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations of the Coast Salish peoples. 

To learn more about International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples and how to support and celebrate Indigenous cultures and communities - please visit the United Nations website. 

Meegwetch –ᖁᔭᓐᓇᒦᒃ - Marsi – Mahsi Cho - Wela’lin – Nia:Wen - hay ch œa - Huy Chexw


* From the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change 
** Posters from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Indigenous

Empowerment International

We would like to highlight the Empowerment International (EI), an organization based in Granada, Nicaragua.  It has been years since we last visited EI but we are hoping to do so in the near future.  We are happy to update that the program we helped launched at EI is still going strong and the IMEC is operational and being used by students. 

We will be reaching out to EI this year to help provide additional support and upgrade laptops, devices and other educational tools needed.  EI also has the ability to do mobile or home visits as part of its education program which increases its reach in providing opportunities for children who cannot make the travel to city of Granada.  We want to explore how we can support this important initiative.  

To see the IMEC in EI, visit the Computer Lab – Program Site and to learn more about the organization, click on www.empowermentinternational.org

Happy Nanay's Day !

Isa Mundo Foundation would like to take the time to recognize and celebrate all mothers who have given so much to make families and communities better.

This year, Isa Mundo Foundation is promoting and highlighting the Malala Foundation - an organization working for the world where every girl can learn and lead and a commitment to ensure every girl has access to education.  This Mother's Day, we would like to honor the passion and care of mothers to change the world and create a better future for all children.

To learn more about this organization and campaign, please visit the Malala Foundation at www.malala.org

And to all the Mothers in the world - Thank You!  And Happy Nanay's Day !!

IMEC in Bambang Elementary School

We wanted to provide an update on the success of the Isa Mundo Education Centre (IMEC) in the village of Bambang Bulacan - the beloved community where Isa Mundo Founder, Paul Lorilla was born and raised.

Following are excerpts from the 2017-18 IMEC Report provided by the IMEC Lead Coordinator: 

This school year, 2017-2018, Bambang Elementary School and in partnership with ISA MUNDO FOUNDATION, through the help and support of Mr. Paul Lorilla, conducted a series of sessions for giving basic education in computer lesson for selected Grade 5 pupils.  This program aims to develop children with readiness and have enough knowledge about computers while attending public school.

The training was handled and supervised by Ms. Meann C. Ruga. The integration in every subject is the focus of the sessions and to give the pupils knowledge about some important details on using computer.  The program conducted last February 26, 2018 to March 23, 2018 was given to the selected pupils.  They learned the basic education of how to use MS Word, MS Excel and MS Powerpoint.  The activities given are part of their other subjects like Filipino, English, Math and Science.

As the result of the program, the integration of knowledge regarding the use of computer is evident and observed, the pupils learned important skills from the lessons given to them and enjoyed every session in discovering new things about the basic knowledge on using computer and technology.

Through ISA MUNDO FOUNDATION, our vision and mission for the school especially to the pupils are truly achieved and the quality of education has improved. Bambang Elementary School is very blessed and fortunate to have kind-hearted sponsors like ISA MUNDO Foundation.  They are always ready to lend their hands in order to support our projects in improving the quality of education of our pupils.

We will be providing additional support to upgrade technology, communication and network connection to the Bambang IMEC in 2019 and begin discussion on how to fund after school teachers to reach other children and youth in the village who may not be able to attend regular school hours.

Stuart's All Star Band

Blog written by Paul Lorilla

I would like to announce that May is Cystic Fibrosis Month and I am giving a shout out to two incredible people: my colleague and friend, Guinevere Sanderson and her Superhero boy, Stuart.  Warning ! This will not be like other blogs we write as an update ...

As Mundoers, I know that we are tasked when we travel the world to look for passion, commitment and inspiration from people and communities that are less fortunate and in need of a hand up - and this has been the mantra of Isa Mundo.  But from time to time, I am reminded that inspiration is right beside me and that someone I work and converse with each day, is in need of my help. Guin has been an inspiration - similar to all parents who will do anything for their children - she provides that unconditional love and care and then do additional things that remind me of the power of pure love that can sometimes be also driven by anger.  Anger at a disease affecting her child, her family and even her role as a mother. The inspiration to accept reality, continue to nurture, provide friendship, serve Canadians, and then give more time to fight the battle to find the cure to Cystic Fibrosis (CF) so that less people suffer from this horrible disease.  Admirable ...

Then there is Stuart. This perennial rockstar makes me cry because it sucks to see children sick and I tear up with joy when I see him doing things like any normal child. Like all Superheroes, he finds a way to lift us all and take us on a journey by confronting CF full on while inspiring all of us to join him on this battle. I cannot seem to turn a blind eye on CF despite the many projects and commitments we have chosen to support and countless personal fundraising we have done for other initiatives. I have been told that at some point, we choose a few and do it well as passionate folks will surely support all other important causes.

We recently had an All-Staff meeting in Vancouver, the annual gathering where I see my wonderful colleagues together. We had a team-building exercise where we each provided a photo that represents our healing and happy spaces. Guin chose a photo of Stuart walking in the forest as a glimpse of a space that has a positive effect on her well being - this was displayed for us to see and we were tasked to reflect on what each photos conveyed. In the end of the gathering, we could take one photo with us - it was easy for me to choose and I now have this photo in my office.  It reminds me when I see it to be aware of the power of the human spirit and that there is work to do beyond the projects Isa Mundo are doing. What is really one more to take on when we are blessed enough to have the strength and ability to do more.

As the person who drafted our Terms of Reference and outlined that we do not personalize projects we launch and support, I find myself guilty of breaking that. No doubt, CF has affected me because of the relationship I have with Guin and her dedication to keep doing what she is doing with so much compassion, humour and unbreakable spirit. But I'm sure I can be forgiven because this one affects us all.

It is CF Month and the annual Walk to Make CF History will be taking place Sunday, May 26th across Canada.  There are many ways to get involved:

• Donate;
• Participate in a walk or virtual walk;
• Sponsor a walker;
• Raise awareness and funds on social media;
• Volunteer through your local Cystic Fibrosis Canada chapter.

I am asking all our members, supporters and volunteers to give and commit what you would normally do for Isa Mundo this month to CF and let's tackle this one like we do all other projects - 100% effort and with care!  To do your part visit the CF Awareness Month and Walk to Make CF History website. and Stuart's All Star Band Team.

You are all heroes already, but I ask this month - Mundoers, assemble !!

Hola Yelapa !

We are happy to report that the first official visit by the Isa Mundo Foundation to formally assess future projects in Yelapa, Mexico was completed in March 2019.  Isa Mundo provided support in coordinating the Global Youth Leadership Network's (GYLN)  travel to Yelapa to learn more about the community, education challenges and how to improve the situation of students. This was GYLN members' first trip to Yelapa and opened their eyes to challenges and possibilities of supporting projects in a different geographical location outside of the Puerto Vallarta region.

We were pleased to meet Kelley-Ann Chesley, the coordinator and lead of various school initiatives in Yelapa and we were impressed with the level of knowledge and patience she showed us during this visit.  We are grateful for the effort she provided in setting up discussions with local leaders, invitations to events, a walking tour of the village and arranging meetings with teachers and students.  We could not ask for more that what we experienced and wished we had more time to spend in Yelapa.

As Isa Mundo assessed in 2015-2017 and observed in this visit, Yelapa presents some challenges due to its location and logistic of bringing supplies, materials and volunteers to the community. There would be additional costs to consider when volunteering as budget for accommodation, transportation, meals etc. would be additional to costs while also traveling and staying in the main Puerto Vallarta area.  One thing not lacking in Yelapa are passionate local members and expats who are committed to improve and develop the village to be a thriving and healthy community for residents and visitors. We observed that everyone dedicates time they have ensuring that children and youth have access to a good education. 

Isa Mundo is committed to support projects in Yelapa and we are looking forward to find additional funds and in-kind donations to support Kelley-Ann and her small team as she gives so much of her time to volunteer in the community.  We believe that strong local leadership is one of the most important aspects of any successful international project and local coordinators are often the last to be supported and compensated for their volunteer time.

To learn more about these projects visit the Yelapa School Project website.

Gracias / Thank you.