A Big Thank You to ERA

The Electronics Recycling Association (ERA) has been a long time partner of Isa Mundo and we have been grateful and humbled by the support and commitment of the organization over the years. As described by ERA:

"... is a non-profit organization committed to reducing unnecessary electronic waste by recycling and repurposing used electronics. We work with local companies to repurpose used electronics and IT equipment in a safe and secure manner. Our team works with community charities to provide repurpose computers and electronics to those in need."

ERA donations to Isa Mundo have travelled all over the globe, from the Philippines, to Peru, to Mexico, to Dominican Republic and to India. Along the way, we have met passionate volunteers at ERA who are committed to providing much needed technology to the less fortunate but also ensuring that less waste end up in landfills by rescuing and refurbishing used laptops, monitors and other devices that are still of value and operational.

Due to the pandemic, donations of technological devices have paused over the last 3 years which in turn, decreased the access of much needed laptops to supply our Isa Mundo Education Centre in the Philippines and Mexico. But we are hopeful that ERA will recover in 2023 at the same level of donations pre-pandemic to continue to support organizations across Canada and the world. 

ERA highlighted Isa Mundo in 2022. To view, click on the Isa Mundo and ERA Update. 

Maligayang Paslit 2022

We wanted to provide an update regarding the very successful Maligayang Paslit 2022 in Bambang Bulakan. As most of you know, our Founder and Director, Paul Lorilla was born and raised in this small village and grew up surrounded by rice fields and fish farms. He spent many of childhood years in the elementary school and church grounds studying, farming and playing basketball. When Isa Mundo was launched in 2006, his first projects were in Bambang, with Maligayang Paslit being one of the first projects he funded and supported that focused on having an annual one day celebration for children and students in his village. This pre-Christmas gathering allow less fortunate children and families to have a day of games, singing, food and gifts and to be together in safe space.

Paul was back in Bambang December 2022 to contribute and support the celebration and provided the food to 300+ children and family members. Maligayang Paslit is a project close to our hearts as we know that the sharing and focus on children and youth in this village, is what inspired our Founder to launch Isa Mundo.

We hope to continue to support this celebration annually and ensure the children and families in Bambang have one special day to look forward to on behalf of Isa Mundo.

People and the Sea

Isa Mundo was able to meet a representative from People and the Sea in the beautiful island of Malapascua. The People and the Sea (PEPSEA) focuses on empowering Filipinos and visitors to protect the sea and marine life while uplifting the lives of less fortunate islanders in the region. This include programs that support sustainable fishing management, waste reduction, youth education and economic resilience. 

As climate change affects coastal communities worldwide, PEPSEA looks locally to re-connect Filipinos to their environment and the importance of conservation. The organization focuses on community based needs to ensure solutions and strategies are implementable and have long term impacts. Isa Mundo was also impressed with the organization's 4 stage approach: Pilot Phase; Monitor and Update; Current Status and Scale Up. We met with Daff Binobo, Site Manager, who reminded us that this 'cyclical approach keeps their core elements of a date driven, holistic, and collaborative effort at the forefront". It also allows engagement and participation of everyone in the community along with external supporters when necessary. Everyone is accountable from start to finish. PEPSEA and its programs affects over 5,000 local islanders each year and continues to work with other local islanders in the region.

Isa Mundo is committed to find ways to support PEPSEA and collaborate on projects and other initiatives, including its Eco Heroes program. This program is part of a collective conservation education for all ages but mostly focussed on local children and youth to develop future environmental and conservation leaders. An additional project is to support local schools in creating a physical space to address the need for segregation and proper waste disposal which also acts as a space for awareness and education for students.

We look forward to brainstorming with PEPSEA and its members to find ways to progress their projects and work in partnership in 2023. To learn more about PEPSEA, visit the People and the Sea website.