David Archuleta shares stage with his mother for Mentors' Annual Gala fundraiser

SALT LAKE CITY — Last January, "American Idol" superstar David Archuleta and his mother, Lupe, went to her native Honduras and to Guatemala, hosted by Utah-based Mentors International. There, they say firsthand how the organization helps provide loans and training to help families in home-based businesses work their way out of poverty.

On Friday night, mother and son gave to the effort themselves by providing a free performance at Mentors' Annual Gala fundraiser at the Salt Lake Marriott, before a crowd of several hundred donors and potential donors.

It was the organization's 20th anniversary, and the two Archuletas were up for the occasion in a performance that featured fast-paced Latin music and heartfelt ballads evoking the optimism that drives Mentors.

"We were really thankful to be able to go and see the work that's being done for the people down there, and families prosper and come from low places and reach their goals and see their dreams come true," David said.

Accompanying himself on electronic keyboard, the 19-year-old singer opened the performance with "Angels," a song from the 2007 season of American Idol. To recorded accompaniment, he followed with "Things Are Going to Get Better," which he debuted last month on the Jerry Lewis Labor Day MDA telethon.

Then, it was time for his mom to take the stage, exhibiting substantial talent of her own with two Spanish-language selections, one sung in moving tribute to her father, who was in the audience. The other was the up-tempo "Mi Tierra" (my land) which she sang in honor of her homeland, Honduras.

"I don't know how to thank Mentors for this trip," the tearful mother said. "I'm never going to forget it, because this is my people, and I love my people. For this reason, we are here to share our love."

David also sang a Spanish number, "Contigo En La Distancia" (you in the distance), and mother and son closed the set with a duet on "A Puro Dolor" ("the purest of pain").

Receiving Mentors' International Humanitarian Award was microfinance pioneer Joe Hatch, the founder of Foundation for International Community Assistance, one of the worlds' leading microcredit institutions. He is co-founder and executive committee member of the Microcredit Summit global campaign.

Hatch spoke of his dream that world poverty be eradicated by 2025 through such initiatives as village banks, his brainchild.