There is Still Hope
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela
In the early days of our PA program, we would often travel to Kyaukkyi, Myanmar. We were preparing to open the clinic, and setting the groundwork for training PAs in Kyaukkyi. It was the first time that we had traveled to this area of Myanmar and we were nervous to be under the control of the infamous Burma army, even though it was a time of relative peace. In the town so far from the city, I was surprised to hear violin music. Looking around, there was a whole group of children practicing violin outside behind a makeshift curtain of green plastic mesh. It was a cool scene of teachers teaching, and pupils playing imperfectly - outdoors on a tiny piece of land. It is a trait of Karen people that I’m growing to love - Karen are very good at making the most of limited resources. For me, it has become a symbol of their ability to thrive through trials and make the best of difficult situations. Over the years, we’d hear the practicing violins - sometimes it was nice to hear, and sometimes the screeches were a little painful. We’d enjoy the kids performing in Sunday morning church services. But, it’s been 4 years since I last heard the violins. Because of Covid and then the military coup, we cannot visit Kyaukkyi.
Then, on New Year’s Eve, far from Kyaukkyi, I was visiting our remote jungle campus, in preparation for EM’s 4th PA graduation. At the early morning service, I could hear violin music. Excited, I looked over and it was kids from Kyaukkyi.
The backstory is that Kyaukkyi is now very close to the front lines of fighting between the Junta and the Karen ethnic army. Many of our friends from the large church in Kyaukkyi had to flee the town because the situation was no longer secure. They were displaced into the jungle, only to show up at RTC. I greeted the leader with his infectious grin and red-stained teeth from betel nut chew. Despite all the terrible things going on in Myanmar now, if we can still have violin music, there is still hope.
There is also hope in the graduation ceremony on that same stage, 4 days later.
On graduation day, the scene of graduating PAs, leaders who came to witness their students graduating, PAs returning from the front lines, and friends reuniting after long separations - was full of excitement, laughter, and lots of pictures. Everyone was dressed in their finest clothes. A stage backdrop had been built of bamboo, with a cloth covering. Someone had cut letters out of styrofoam and attached them to the backdrop. Flower bouquets spread across the entire front of the stage to cover the dirt edge. As usual, the Karen had created a beautiful scene that might rival graduations in many more wealthy schools around the world.
Many prayers and speeches later, the graduates received the Bachelor of Science diplomas from the Karen Education and Culture Department (KECD) along with the Karen Department of Health and Welfare (KDHW). Thousands of photos later, everyone ate together at makeshift tables behind the graduation stage.
It was a great event to witness. I was so proud to see so many young people - who have done the hard work and become competent healthcare providers. Many of the previous graduates have several years of experience working in hard environments. I know they have struggles - they work in clinics with not enough medicine and supplies, and without electricity. Several of our graduates run a clinic that has been bombed. One graduate was still recovering from a recent bomb blast. So, behind the smiles and laughter, I know there are struggles and so many challenges. But, on this day, hope and joy have overcome all these difficulties.
As people take down the bamboo stage, I pray for safety, I pray for resources for their clinics, I pray that they will have enough food & clothing, and I pray that smiles and laughter will continue to come easily. I pray that they can still hear the imperfect violin music wherever they go.
With hope,
Dan Ryan
Executive Director
Quick Updates
As you can imagine, much has happened so far this year. Here's a quick update of what you have made possible, and ways you can pray for the Karen:
PHYSICIAN ASSOCIATE PROGRAM
From December 18 - 28, our Year 3 PA students enjoyed a break and communications training at the Mae Sariang training center. Due to the pandemic and coup, they had never been able to visit Thailand. They went shopping, ate at a few restaurants, and just enjoyed constant internet and plenty of food and hot water.
On December 30, a former PA graduate sustained non-life-threatening injuries while helping injured people at a casualty collection point near the front lines. He was treated for a fractured leg and laceration. But a few days later, he walked onto the graduation stage to receive his updated diploma and Bachelor of Science degree.
Last year was an exciting milestone for the PA program: our 2022 graduates were the first to be awarded Bachelor’s of Science degrees in partnership with the Karen Education and Culture Department (KECD). This year, we invited all past graduates to receive their updated degrees alongside the 2023 graduating class! We were thrilled that 9 were able to join us in person.
Several 2023 PA graduates will come on staff at RTC to help with the increased workload due to the fighting. Victoria will return to her home area to work in the local clinic alongside Moo Hsar Paw, who graduated last year. Please pray for these graduates as they follow God’s leading for the next chapter of their lives.
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
Thanks to a foundation matching grant and several donors, construction has started on an engineering shop at RTC! We are including a safe room in this building to protect people if bombs are dropped nearby. The shop will also have a concrete slab and lift to work on trucks, motorcycle repair area, parts inventory for both trucks and motorcycles, and tool storage. We look forward to the increased efficiency this will provide.
HOSPITAL CAMPUS
In December, we evacuated the T-RAD staff and their families—77 people in all. The junta military was becoming a threat to them, so we relocated them to a small village. They are now IDPs (Internally Displaced People). However, because of their determination and the help of local villagers, they quickly set up a hospital and surgical area. Thankfully, we had been able to evacuate some hospital equipment as well. Almost immediately, people came for emergency surgeries. Workers are now building temporary houses and necessary infrastructure. This includes electricity generators, internet communication, potable water, houses, and medical facilities. The staff will not be able to safely return home until a new government is formed, or major political reform occurs. Please pray for all the infrastructure needs with the relocated T-RAD hospital.
Recently, our hospitals' ability to communicate with the outside world have greatly increased. Thanks to Elon Musk’s new Starlink satellite technology, we have fast communication access on most parts of our campus. Unlike previously, the speed is fast enough to use voice or video calls, and files can be sent easily. This is a big boost to our internal efficiencies and decreases the sense of isolation in the jungle. We are thankful for ongoing financial support from our partners that allows such improvements.
Michael Barnett, our strategy and communication consultant, came to RTC to capture stories of staff, students, and patients. He worked with Bway and Wah Lwe, our Karen communication staff, training them in more videography and photography. Then, they worked together to beautifully capture the graduation ceremony! We are excited about the many interviews they completed as they work hard to tell the Karen's story.
Staff retreats for the RTC staff were scheduled for January. Sadly, these have been cancelled due to the relocation of the T-RAD staff and the need for medical staff to rotate between RTC and T-RAD. Please pray for another retreat to be scheduled soon, as they need respite and were looking forward to this.
CHIANG MAI ASIA OFFICE
On December 15, the Earth Mission Asia Foundation in Chiang Mai hosted a community Christmas party with games and prizes. Thirty-five community members came to enjoy delicious food and strengthen local relationships.
