News and Events: Archive 2008

Past Stories

05.01.08 - Address and phone changes

We would like to encourage everyone to note a change in address and phone number for MEJOR Communities. We have recently moved to:

10716 NE Hassalo St.
Portland, OR 97220

And have also adopted a new phone number which is 503-946-8567. Thank you for your continued interest and support.

03.29.08 - Benefit Dinner

"Mama Doris" enthralling some dinner guests with her passion for the people and culture of Peru.

With a full room of beautiful, supportive individuals, the benefit dinner was a huge success. We made contact with so many that hold Peru close to their hearts, and many others who were inspired to support the mission we uphold. Including all of the donations and money made from the silent auction, we raised over $3,000, which was our goal..

The evening would not have been such a success without the amazing food provided by Andina. Appetizers, a tapas-style dinner, drinks, and dessert were all provided, and everyone left satisfied and impressed by the wide variety and delicious flavors Andina presented. The items provided in the auction were thanks to Ten Thousand Villages, Sandy Riedman of Bodhi Temple, Tejidos Terre Sol from Peru, Abeja Winery, and Onda World Art. Onda World Art on Alberta in Portland will donate 10% to MEJOR Communities from any sales if the purchaser mentions that they would like to support MEJOR Communities, so be sure to check them out and tell them of your support. We give a huge thank you to each person who attended the event and to everyone who supported its success.

01.26.08 - MEJOR Communities attends GROW conference in Portland, Oregon

Katie Masferrer and Yassi Irajpanah at the MEJORC booth

On January 26, Katie Masferrer, MEJORC founder and executive director, attended GROW 2008, a networking conference for non-profit organizations. The conference, held in Portland, Oregon, serves as forum for non-profit organizations and corporations to discuss common issues.

MEJORC participated in the conference by presenting a case study focused on the designing and printing of educational materials for illiterate communities and staffing a MEJORC booth during the network portion of the conference. The morning seminars taught about how to manage and sustain our organization.

We humbly thank Sharon Braich and Yassi Irajpanah in particular for putting us in contact with so many wonderful people. More information is available at the GROW website.

11.16.08 - Pearl Taster Tour and Fundraiser

Pearl Businesses and a Peruvian Organization Come Together

If you happened to be in the Pearl district on November 16th, you may have seen a lot of people walking around with maps, discussing the great food they were sampling. About one hundred people bought tickets for the Pearl Taster Tour, which led them to eight different restaurants, each proudly serving a taste of what they offer.

Great treats were available from the start, as Andina served each participant an alfajor (typical Peruvian desert cookie) as they picked up their packets. On the self-guided tour the range of food went from a variety of chocolates at Sweet Masterpiece, to Tachos (tater tot nachos) at Blitz Pearl, to amazing rice bowls with shrimp or carnitas at Isabel Pearl. Other offerings included a mini Downtown Cupcake Brown from Cupcake Jones, a wide buffet-style spread at Palominos, and a cookies, olives and hot chocolate sampler from Caffe Umbria. At Bridgeport Brewery they handed out coupons for a free pint of beer or baguette on their next visit in.

Once participants were stuffed full of these delicious treats, they headed out to Caf� Rocks, a new internet caf� in the north end of the Pearl. With their large industrial space decorated ready for the holidays, plus a local Peruvian duet playing live music, the ending ceremonies were a welcome place to sit and digest. And lest the participants need yet more convincing that the Pearl is the place to go for great food, Caf� Rocks also had ready platters of their delicious sandwiches, paninis, coffee, and cookies.

As if all of this entertainment and tummy comforts weren�t enough for the $15 ticket, participants had also entered themselves into fourteen different raffles. The raffle winners received a gift certificate or prize from a variety of Pearl restaurants, including those they had been fortunate enough to visit. Also, a silent auction was held, with items like Peruvian, hand-woven wool purses and bags, a week-long vacation stay in Hawaii, and a gift certificate for Ready, Paint, Fire.

.This event was a success in its many objectives. Pearl restaurants were given the recognition they deserve, and chance to attract more clients. Participants were able to try some of those many restaurants they�ve had on their list without spending a bundle. And finally, the main purpose of the event, was to raise money for an upcoming project in Peru.

MEJOR Communities serves the poor, rural communities of Peru by providing appropriate knowledge and tools for the communities to improve their own health and lifestyles. In communities were children still die from avoidable respiratory infections, diarrheas, and malnutrition, health is the number one priority on most families� minds. The local health facility may be hours away, or be staffed by only a locally trained technician with limited knowledge and resources.

MEJOR Communities trains local youth in basic health, nutrition, illness prevention, and project management, then empowers them to spread that information to the rest of the community. They are also supported in the development and execution of projects to improve their communities� health, such as creating community gardens to improve nutrition, or improve water sanitation to avoid diarrheas. The goal is prevention, tempered with the appropriate tools, such as first aid, to deal with immediate problems.

Sustainability is an important factor which comes from teaching youth social responsibility, and giving them the tools and confidence to show that changes can be made on a local level, even with limited financial resources. These youth will become the leaders for these communities� futures, and will inspire others to put forth the effort needed as well. Although the event raised only about 15% of the funds needed to see this project to completion, it raised awareness about the needs in places beyond our front door, and the projects being forged to meet those needs at a grassroots level.

MEJOR Communities is considering the many requests it has received to repeat the Taster Tour at least once a year. Keep your eyes out for announcements for another of these events, as they sell out quickly. In the meantime MEJOR Communities is planning a fun run to take place in April, and a possible second annual benefit dinner at Andina Restaurant. Whether you are able to attend any of these events or not, we encourage you to make a donation to help make their project a reality.