Sunday, October 19, 2014

Electronics Recycling Association

During our last project site visit of the year in Mexico, we were able to bring additional laptops to our Isa Mundo Education Centre in Volcanes.  Since the Electronic Recycling Association (ERA) donated laptops to us this year, we have been bringing them slowly during our trips to Mexico.  We are inviting volunteers who will be traveling to the Puerto Vallarta region to bring laptops with them if possible.

We would also like to thank ERA for all their help and support. The students at Volcanes IMEC are grateful for the opportunity to access technology to improve their education.

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Visit to CASA Connor

Yesterday, we were able to travel with members of the Caring Abroad Society of Alberta (CASA) who are committed to build a new facility that will provide support to children with disabilities. It is currently being constructed on donated land.

We met with Peter and Teena Oudman (two of the founders of CASA Connor) at Pasitos de Luz before driving to the facility.  As most of you know, Pasitos de Luz is a day care centre supporting more than 120 children with disabilities - most from low income families living around the Puerto Vallarta area.

CASA Connor has partnered with Pasitos de Luz in building a larger facility to accommodate the demand, as well as overnight respite services and accommodation for volunteers.

Since our last visit in February, the build is progressing and additional fundraising was just completed to begin the new phase of construction.  We met with Peter and Teena to continue the discussion on how to support CASA Connor and the possibility of adding solar panels to decrease electricity costs.  The concept of pursuing grants that could fund the on-going  operations and maintenance of the facility is an option that could be very helpful in the future.

To learn more about CASA Connor, you can visit the website at www.casaconnor.org

Monday, October 6, 2014

Volcanes Primary School



We made it back to Mexico for a second visit this year. Today, we visited the Volcanes Primary School and our only IMEC in Mexico. Since it is the rainy season in Mexico, we experienced the challenge of driving in unpaved roads that have been washed away by the rain. We also had the chance to see the community and the lush mountainside this time of year.

It was a great opportunity to see first hand the work completed by the 180th Pacific Coast Rovers back in May this year.  They spent many hours to build a bodega for the school in order to feed the children along with constructing a storage facility and office space.  The Rovers also had a chance to interact with students and provide lessons at the school.

We hope to continue to support the IMEC in Volcanes by providing funds to teachers and developing the Isa Mundo Life Skills Program which we hope to launch in the near future.

We would like to thank the Rovers for all their hard work and we look forward to working with them again in completing another international project.