Jungle School of Medicine - Kawthoolei
Medics from the ethnic people groups of Burma come from a wide educational background. Some have started university level work while others have only passed the 6th grade. A few have had extensive field supervision. Others have had only a few months of lectures based training. Increasingly, this diversity has emphasized the importance of establishing standards for medics.
Towards that end, Earth Mission, in conjunction with the Free Burma Rangers, has now established a medical school inside Karen state for beginning medics,... The Jungle School of Medicine - Kawthoolei. Most of the 24 current students are FBR medics but several from other Community Based Organizations are also attending. Earth Mission has worked extensively with the six local staff members over the last few years in preparation for this service. Currently a western trained team of doctors, nurses, and midwives help direct the teaching. Supervised clinical interactions form the foundation of the training. This is supplemented with lectures by senior staff and students. Online medical resources including consultation with experts is available. All teaching and administration will be turned over to the Karen staff as they become more confident in their own ability. Currently the school enjoys the full, active support of about 13 surrounding villages, the District leadership, the Karen Department of Health and Welfare, and Karen military officials. The hope is that this model will be useful in other areas of Burma as well.
Cost to support one student medic/year (food, hygiene, clothes, blanket) - USD $600
