The Jungle Engineering Newsletter
It has been at least one month since the rains quit. Roads in Karen state are now passable for a truck in low 4 wheel drive for the first time since late May. Overall, the equipment and infrastructure are working amazingly well.
Here is what’s new with the Engineering Tech program:
1. Moving into the new school
The Earth Mission Technician School hosted a Thanksgiving service on November 23rd in celebration of the opening of the new school. Karen Thanksgiving services include special music, speeches from Karen leaders, and lots of good food. The students had moved in at the beginning of the week, just in time for term exams. The new school has more room, dedicated classrooms, shop building, and dedicated engineering housing. The final school inspection by the Thai government will take place in the next couple of months.
2. Update from a graduated Engineering Tech
Saw Ki Paw was in the second batch of engineering technician graduates. He is a hard worker and comes from a village that is far away from modern amenities, including quality healthcare. Even though life is challenging, he is taking care of his family, and working hard on RTC projects.
Ki Paw tells about his experience and background in this 2.5 minute interview:
3. Celebrating Sweet December
It started as three people singing carols in their dorm. Then more people came and joined. Then they decided to go house to house sharing the joy of Sweet December (a Karen month-long celebration of Jesus’ birth) by singing hymns. With each stop, the group grew. After stopping by our house, the group of merry singers went to the hospital to cheer up patients. While there, someone shared the story of Jesus, because the patients did not know. As they went from house to house, the happy music carried across the dark valley, leaving a big smile on my face. God’s peace fills this valley.
Upcoming Improvements in 2025
This is the beginning of the dry season, so it is our only time to build. Here is what’s on the docket:
Building a partially underground Inpatient Department that will be designed for blast resistance.
Completing the construction of at least 4 new buildings.
Installing bomb-proof windows to the OR by removing the current glass windows and replacing them with steel plates.
Preparing the Outpatient Clinic to accept TB, malaria and HIV patients, while also increasing our capacity for treating these diseases.
Establishing a small campus for our new Natural Farming work crew, which will include installation of a solar water pump and solar electricity grid and construction of dorms, a dining area, offices and classrooms.
Purchasing a new truck.
Land to be used for farming.
OR windows need to be bomb-proofed.
Additional Partnering Opportunities
We are looking for more people to partner with us to support the engineering and infrastructure needs of our campus, as well as to help sponsor our students’ engineering education.
Examples of some of our upcoming projects for which we are still seeking funding include:
Creating a structure to house a donated water filtration system ($10,000).
Constructing several new buildings – we have funding for 4 buildings, but need additional funding to complete the remaining ones.
Launching our new Natural Farming School ($44,000 for first-year start up costs).
If you would like to help support our students or bring these and other exciting improvements to life, here’s how to get involved:
Sponsor the Education of an Engineering Technology Student
To support one of our 13 engineering tech students for 2025, give here: Sponsor a Student
Supporting Engineering & Infrastructure Needs
To support our many engineering projects and infrastructure needs, give here: Engineering Technology Projects & Infrastructure
Contact me to discuss other giving or volunteering ideas you may have at dan@earthmissionasia.org
