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!

******************************************

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.