Feeling the Pulse at home and afar

Recently, a group of community members met at World Pulse headquarters in Portland, OR. This was the second gathering of the newly formed World Pulse Portland meet-up group. The idea for this group grew out of a similar meeting I organized in Kampala, Uganda last summer. I wanted to meet my World Pulse sisters in Kampala, and I was surprised to learn that they had not met each other face to face before. Realizing I did not know many community members in my home city, I vowed to change that and start a "local pulse" group.

With the help and support of the tireless World Pulse staff, the group met for the first time last month. We viewed "Pray the Devil Back to Hell", the first film in the five-part documentary series, Women, War, and Peace. An insightful conversation about the unique ways that conflict affects women followed the film.

The second meeting of the group coincided with the observation of Human Trafficking Awareness Month. We discussed the prevalence of human trafficking in the United States and in our own city of Portland. The highlight of the evening was having World Pulse contributor, Stella, Skype in from India. Stella shared valuable insight into the crime of trafficking in her country.

We felt the power of connection - within one room and across thousands of miles and many time zones. When we gather together, we are stronger. We use our collective energy and passion to affect positive change. This is the power and the beauty of World Pulse.

This group plans to meet monthly to discuss relevant issues, watch important films, and to, simply put, connect. If you live in the Portland area, join us! If you don't, start a World Pulse meet-up in your own city! The more we connect, the more we can accomplish.