Thursday, January 11, 2024

Turtle Conservation Projects

Isa Mundo volunteers were able to visit, learn and participate in a turtle conservation project in the Bay of Banderas region in Mexico. We first visited a small local site in San Pancho where we learned how a certified volunteer can operate a camp and begin to teach and educate both local and international volunteers to assist with operating a turtle conservation camp. It was very informative to know how local developers, home owners, tourists, volunteers and non profit groups work together to ensure the location where turtle mamas lay their eggs are safe and secured. We were impressed with organization of the small camp in San Pancho and participated in the release at sunset joined by volunteers and supporters. 

Our second visit was at the Campamento Tortuguero Boca de Tomates which is in the Marina Vallarta region of the Bay. This is a more established site with outdoor workshop space for new volunteers and tourists to first learn about the camp and conservation work being done prior to the release of baby turtles. The camp also provides simple and basic housing for volunteers who are assisting on a more permanent or monthly basis, including students who are doing research on marine conservation and turtle protection. The camp operates on donations and support from local businesses and surrounding resorts and developers. The camp is located in a beautiful part of the Bay, surrounded by mangroves and away from major structures. 

Isa Mundo committed to support both camps and will be working in partnership this year with other conservation groups to assist the important work being done in the Bay of Banderas region. We would like to thank both Joleen and Charly for their patience and taking the time to show and teach us about this important initiative and the strong collaboration with local community members and dedicated volunteers. 

To learn more, work visit the Campamento Tortugeor Boca de Tomates FB Page.

Thank you / Gracias!

 









 














Monday, December 25, 2023

Happy Holidays and a Peaceful and Healthy 2024

It has been another successful year for the Isa Mundo Foundation. We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone Happy Holidays and all the best in the coming year. Despite our continued partnerships with various organizations in Mexico, Latin America and Philippines, our collaboration took on a different approach in 2023. We took on more in-kind donations and exchange of Human Resources to complete projects rather than focusing on grants writing and fundraising events. 

We realize and acknowledge that many global events transpired, and continue to, this year which left many of our volunteers, members and supporters struggling to heal during these challenging times. From wars to natural disasters to political unrests and protests on better labour conditions, climate change and individual rights - 2023 revealed to us that we need to continue our work to support those less fortunate, provide equal access to programs and services and amplify the voices of those who are silenced. As each year passes - we are even more grateful to our supporters, volunteers and partners who have contributed to our past and present projects.

We want to wish everyone all the best this Holiday Season and a peaceful, healthy and prosperous 2024. We look forward to working with all of you in the coming year as we continue our important work in communities that need us.

Thank you, Merci, Gracias, Salamat po !


Image courtesy of Stacy Archer.

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Conservation Projects in Mexico

Isa Mundo Foundation will be making its last site and project visits of the year in Mexico with visits to San Pancho, Bucerias, Barra de Navidad and Yelapa. We are very excited and committed to meet and engage with local non profit organizations that focus on marine conservation and turtle rescue and release programs. Over the pat 5 years, Isa Mundo has been approached by various local community members and groups in the Bahia de Banderas region looking for support and partnership to continue the important work and efforts that have been established by committed and passionate peoples. 

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!





Friday, September 22, 2023

Disaster Relief Appeal - Red Cross Partnership


The month of September saw two natural disasters that resulted in unimaginable loss that will impact communities for years to come. On September 8, a deadly earthquake of 6.8 magnitude struck Morocco’s Atlas Mountain region killing more than 3000 people and injuring thousands. For a week, remote villages remain without aid due to challenging road conditions.  

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. 

Tuesday, August 8, 2023

International Day of the World’s Indigenous People’s

Each year, Isa Mundo acknowledges and promotes the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People’s which takes place on August 9th. This year’s theme set forward by Indigenous Peoples’ and the United Nations is “Indigenous Youth as Agents of Change for Self-Determination”. 

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. 


Reference: https://social.desa.un.org/issues/indigenous-peoples/events/international-day-of-the-worlds-indigenous-peoples-2023

Photo by Paul Lorilla. Wall art inside the NWAC Building, Gatineau Quebec.

Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Isa Mundo Live/Work/Gathering Space

In partnership with the start up company Rohe Homes, Isa Mundo is completing the construction of a modular structure that will be a combination of a live / work and in the future, a gathering space for volunteers and members committed to continue the work we do locally and internationally. We have chosen the Cariboo Region (Rail Lake) to construct the space and invite other start up companies, established businesses and local contractors to partner and collaborate with us. The location posed challenges in ordering supplies, shipping materials and bringing contractors due to the distance from our office and location in Vancouver. But nonetheless, we committed to finishing the project and will invite local organizations to work with us in the future to serve and support communities in the Cariboo Region.

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. 

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Back in Casa Connor / Pasitos de Luz

Isa Mundo Director and volunteers returned to Casa Connor for the first time since the start of the pandemic in 2020. What we witnessed were constructions of new facilities for volunteers and staff, an impressive therapeutic outdoor pool, communal gardens to grow vegetables and new equipment for the children to improve their development and therapy.

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.

The main discussion focused on how to provide solar energy to power and maintain the large outdoor pool which provides much needed therapy for all the children. We spent our time learning more about how Casa Connor and the staff continually looks to improve and sustain the facility all with the care and nurturing manner for the children.

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.