The Banderas Bay region has been a nesting ground for turtles for years and turtle mamas continue to lay their eggs all over the beaches of Banderas and their turtle hatchings make the challenging journey from beach to ocean until they return again to the same place they were born. This process is challenging enough with natural predators, waves and human influenced changes in marine ecosystem. In addition, the Bay of Banderas region continues to progress with increased population and resort and housing developments that take away protected areas for turtles to lay their eggs and for babies to hatch and make their journey to the water.
But through the efforts and commitment of community members and groups, education and promotion of the importance of protecting turtles are beginning to make a difference. Resorts and developers are collaborating with ecological groups to set aside protected areas. Non profit organizations have set up tours and camps for tourists, businesses and schools to visit turtle camps and participate in release programs to see learn and see first hand the work that entails to save turtles in the region.
Isa Mundo will visit these organizations next month and will commit to support and perhaps launch our very own Isa Mundo Turtle Release Programs in the region. We look forward to meeting our friends doing this work and we thank them in advance for engaging and hosting us. We will provide an update while on site in beautiful Mexico.
Thank you / Gracias!
A few days later on September 11, Storm Daniel fell on northeastern Libya causing dams to break which devastated two cities killing an estimated 11,000 with thousands more missing. The city of Derna was hardest hit with a quarter of the city washed away by the water and entire neighbourhoods destroyed. With damaged roads and lack of communication due to power lines down, rescue workers and foreign aid volunteers have faced many challenges to help those in need.
Isa Mundo has committed to raise funds in partnership with Red Cross to support those who have lost everything in both Morocco and Libya. We are aware of the complex political situations where natural disasters affect many communities and families and Isa Mundo will continue to support communities where we have capacity to do so. We chosen to partner with Red Cross over the years because the organization and its local Red Crescent teams worldwide have their own staff and volunteers who are trained to respond to large-scale disaster operations.
There are two ways to help support our fundraising efforts: 1) donate to Isa Mundo Foundation by clicking our Donate link; 2) donate directly to Red Cross and choose Morocco, Libya or both to assists the organization’s efforts to raise funds. When donating to Isa Mundo, we will collect all funds which are then matched by Red Cross. Please click on the different links below and choose your preferred option.
We will be monitoring all donations for 30 days and reach out to Red Cross when we complete our fundraising. Thank you for your support as always in improving the lives of those less fortunate in the world.
According to the United Nations:
“In this context of demand for self-determination, Indigenous youth are working as agents of change at the forefront of some of the most pressing crises facing humanity today. For instance, Indigenous youth are harnessing cutting-edge technologies and developing new skills to offer solutions and contribute to a more sustainable, peaceful future for our people and planet. But their future depends as well on the decisions that are made today. Their representation and participation in global efforts towards climate change mitigation, peace building, and digital cooperation are crucial for the effective implementation of their rights as Indigenous”.
Isa Mundo is aware that Indigenous peoples are stewards and holders of unique cultures and languages and have a special relationship with land and the environment. But also, their situations globally have not been positive and in 2023, still lack access to clean water, safe housing, education, socio-economic opportunities and basic human rights that are taken for granted by non Indigenous peoples in the developed world. This is why Isa Mundo continues to support access to basic primary education and provide funding to children and youth initiatives by providing a safe space to learn, play and become leaders in their communities.
We invite all our members, volunteers, friends and partners to celebrate the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples by attending events, gatherings, ceremonies and support local Indigenous groups and organizations in providing services to their citizens and communities.
To learn more about the history and theme this year, visit the UN’s webpage on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2023.
Photo by Paul Lorilla. Wall art inside the NWAC Building, Gatineau Quebec.
We are thankful for companies such as Rohe Homes who partnered with us and their interest in piloting a project in the region that is affordable, mobile, and a strong focus on sustainable homes. We are grateful for another start up company Rainstick Shower (Sean and Alisha) who brought forth a shower system that will allow homes to use 80% less water and energy. We also want to thank OGO Toilets who partnered with us to try one of their sustainable sanitation composting systems that is oderless and created for off-grid living. We will assess these products as a group with the hope of bringing them to communities we support globally that are in need of simple sanitation systems, water conservation and energy consumption.
To learn more about our partners, click on the links below:
We will keep you all updated as we progress and complete this project in the Carbioo Region.
We were welcomed by General Direct, Arturo Ayala and his wonderful staff, and of course, the children and their families. It is always a humbling and special experience for us to return to Casa Connor and the Pasitos de Luz program. We always leave the facility feeling honoured, humbled and inspired to continue our work.
We welcome all our members and volunteers to find ways to support Casa Connor in 2023 and continue to improve the lives and situations of children with disabilities in the Jalisco and Nayarit states.
Muchas gracias.
"... 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.
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.
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.