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Evert and Jordan

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We are mixed-race husbands that have faced oppression for various reasons our entire lives. Despite our struggles, we have both benefited from incredible privileges as well. We believe that with privilege comes duty and that is why we started VEMSR. We are determined to spend our lives fighting poverty, protecting and educating underprivileged children and helping to strengthen dire healthcare infrastructure. ​We hope you’ll join us.

Evert was in the Merida Symphony Orchestra and top of his class at the Universidad de los Andes when he had to flee his homeland and give up his entire life because suddenly there were major food shortages, the government was relentlessly killing innocent people in the streets and all law and order was breaking down. Venezuela is a military dictatorship that represses free speech, promotes violence and oppresses minorities. Evert was forced to flee to America, a nation whose president openly discriminates against mixed-race people such as himself, and claim political asylum because of his open rejection of his government’s totalitarianism and brutality.

Jordan has faced oppression based on his sexuality his entire life in Canada and has lived and worked in countries where his minority status is illegal, punishable by death or life imprisonment. In Zimbabwe, Jordan worked for Mercy Corps on mobile finance development projects and in Nigeria Jordan worked for the British Council in peace and stability. 

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Merrill House

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Merrill House is boutique hotel and restaurant in Prince Edward County, Ontario, owned and operated by our founders, Evert and Jordan. Merrill House allows us to expand our critical work and gives us a platform to fundraise and bring attention to the dire issues that we represent. Merrill House is not just a business, but a socially-conscious project that aims to help make the world a better place. If you are interested in staying at Merrill House or becoming a member, please click here.