Portland State University in Migori.

Migori is a silent town before you know it.Once you do,it is quite the opposite and with lots of activity being a boarder town.It is unknown to many,Kenyans inclusive.It's main city being a street of shops,and a major highway heading to Tanzania.

Two weeks ago i posted a need for condoms in the NEEDS section of PulseWire,and i immediately got response from a student of Portland State University Migori,and Kenya,has recently suffered a condom shortage,with promises from the World Bank to help take care of this bad situatin.

MIGORI has a population of over 700 000 people as per recent census a and much efforts has been done to reverse the trend of HIV/AIDS that was 23% prevalence in the year 2003 and now has gone down to 14.6% according to JAPR 2009 report. The efforts made by various civil society organizations and Ministry of health reduced this rate of infection and with this the use of condom was vigorously advocated for and people are now using condoms to a higher rate.

Hope has been dwindling in the absense of condoms,and the commercial ones go at 4 times the normal price! Unfortunately for traders,shortages of items is an opportunity to make booming business-take it or leave it.

Migori is well known to a class of students,and a teacher or more,at Portland State University! My need was speedily responded to,and on Monday,we were able to didtribute our clients with 600 condoms.Female condoms were unavailable though so the men held all the cards.We are waiting for a shipment which has already left Portland and should be here any time.I keep on checking the post office.

Many people in the town turned up to get a little share of this precious tool.We gave a maximum of five-some begging to have just a single piece!

My worry is-what happens when we can't afford and condoms not available.Abstinance will not work a hundred percent.This is a bad sign.A sign of sex with no protection,and therefore no prevention.

With this connection,our geographical knowledge also widens.Now the Migori community knows the presence of a state called Oregon,and Portland State University.Our Atlases are getting pages turned over! Such meaningful relationships never end.What touched me most is that these students reached out to me! I will admit on behalf of millions of people that many people we make the wrong guesses and get positive responses from where we least think of.

Big thank you Eve who set this rolling,and Kirsten,with whom i have been in touch working out more ways! Thank you Cheyenne.Thank you to the teacher(s) and class and every person who might have contributed in any way that is not known to us.

Possibilities through PulseWire unreals right in my eyes every day.Now i have no limits! The corners are many so it is worth trying round the bends to see what is there.As an island,we shall never grow! Thank you for making it possible for my community.

Asante Sana Eve,Cheyenne,Kirsten,and Portland State University.Now you exist in Migori.

Warmest regards,
Leah.