Kisumu: Part Two.

Kisumu, Kenya - My first full day in Africa is winding down as I atop the Imperial Hotel watching the sun set over Lake Victoria.

After chicken stew with rice for lunch, the group met with members of the Kenyan medical institute, KEMRI, and other key Kenyan stakeholders to determine elements to be covered for a baseline study related to the introduction of probiotic yogurt to the community. Researchers were hoping to discover if three measurements they felt could help determine the success of the project were viable within the community:

1. By measuring levels of CD4, does this probiotic yogurt affect immunity for HIV/AIDS?
2. By measuring height and weight of children, 2-5, do we see any significant benefits?
3. Do episodes and duration of infection diminish with consumption?

Significant progress was made in preparation for the project’s commencement in Kasipul, which has a population of 140,000; during the second phase, the project will expand to Kabondo, which has a population of 60,000. Both have an HIV/AIDS infection rate of 17 per cent.

It was important for the Canadian and Kenyan representatives to clearly understand how they planned to identify candidates for the study (including ratios of men, women and children), and how potential candidates could best be served. It was commonly agreed upon that it is critical that potential candidates are properly sensitized to the benefits of probiotic yogurt for an ongoing commitment to become sustainable. And now, dinner beckons.