From the Field
Education Updates
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters...”
COLOSSIANS 3:23-24 NIV
Strengthening Community Service
Karen young people are hopeful and eager to serve and develop their communities. When they reach higher levels of education and are asked, “Why do you want to study here?” almost all of them give the same answer: “Because I want to serve my people.”
This is the reason our PA student, Saw Blut, chose to study in our PA program. His journey is rooted in strong purpose and deep motivation.
Saw Blut Law La Gay, Year 1 PA student
"I want to become a healthcare professional because my journey has shown me the deep medical needs of my people. After graduating from a Burmese government high school, I taught in remote Karen areas, where I learned about Karen history, and later joined as a combat medic after completing Community Health Worker training. During these years of conflict following the military coup, I often worked alone at frontline Casualty Collection Points, caring for injured soldiers and villagers across multiple villages with no clinics, limited medicine, and only basic training. Although I had a strong desire to help, I realized my limitations and the urgent need for higher medical skills. In 2025, encouraged by my leaders and motivated by the lack of doctors in our district, I applied and was accepted into Earth Mission’s Physician Associate program to become more competent and better serve my community.
One thing that surprised me very much when I joined the Earth Mission PA program was the Year 1 medical foundation curriculum. It is very detailed, comprehensive, and carefully taught, and it is truly at a high standard for medical students. I had previously completed Community Health Worker and Medic training, but I had never been taught medical foundations in such depth. I faced challenges in my studies because the lectures are advanced, and I was a slower learner at times. However, the instructors are very kind and teach patiently, supporting every student.
After one year, I gained a strong understanding of how the human body works, functions, and malfunctions to cause disease and other medical foundation topics. During the December break, I returned to my area and shared my experiences and what I had learned with those preparing for CHW training for two weeks. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to learn through the EM PA program and to share that knowledge with others."
Education Department
As it is the season for new student selection, the Education Department is busy preparing for the student recruitment process. This includes communicating with different leaders regarding their selected applicants and arranging travel to RTC for the entrance exams and interviews.
Meanwhile, the EM Education Leadership team is preparing examination papers, reviewing recruitment documents, and arranging travel to the RTC teaching center. After the review, 22 PA candidates were shortlisted for 13 available slots, and 12 E-tech candidates were shortlisted for 6 available slots to attend the entrance exams and interviews.
Please pray for us — that we may select the right candidates, that the process will go smoothly, and that all leaders and applicants will travel safely.
Physician Associate Training & Updates
All the students have returned from their holiday break.
Year 1 class completed their lectures in the first week of February and then had a study week to prepare for their cumulative Year 1 exam covering all eight of their medically related topics from the year.
Year 2 students just completed their Year 2 cumulative test with a 100% pass rate! Big congratulations to the Year 2 class in their academic discipline. They are continuing to review patient cases with Dr. Mitch as they assume a more hands-on role in the OPD and IPD.
Year 3 students are studying OB-GYN ultrasound with SonoSim sessions and learning about multiple gestation and breech presentation. They are taking over more responsibilities in the IPD, OPD, and OR arenas.
Year 4 students have officially become the “big men on campus” as the Year 5s have moved out of their active roles in patient care to study and take their final PA exams. They continue to strengthen their clinical documentation skills through SOAP note sessions every Friday afternoon. In addition to being patient care leads and mentors at Rain Tree Clinic, the Year 4 students are also putting in time doing real-life trauma training at the front line.
Year 5 students participated in a two-week pediatric training program at MSR. After this placement, they had one week of dedicated self-study time to prepare for their final theory and OSCE examinations. All Year 5 students successfully passed their final theory exams!
We are very excited for these students as they approach such important milestones in their journeys. Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated.
Engineering Tech Training & Updates
The students returned from their holidays at the beginning of January. All E-tech students will spend three to four months at the Rain Tree Clinic campus during the project season. Their curriculum is designed to balance theory and hands-on worksite practice each year. After planning the schedule, we officially started preparing for our construction projects.
One of the main projects is the Hydro Project, which will generate electricity from the river's natural flow. Unlike solar power, the system runs 24/7 and does not require large battery banks. It also does not rely on diesel generators.
In previous years, similar projects faced challenges, particularly with equipment quality and the impact of the rainy season. Heavy water flow can push large rocks and uprooted trees downstream, damaging the water inlet system. This year, we ordered higher-quality equipment from New Zealand, and engineers have been improving the inlet design to address these challenges.
The biggest problem now is getting supplies to the Hydro Project site. A six-wheeled supply truck arrived and dropped off some of the pipe for the project, but not all of it. Now it tried to climb up to where the hydro project is located . The tires spun and smoked, and then a tire blew — boom!
Before any of these construction projects, students help collect and prepare materials such as cement, sand, gravel, tools, and other supplies. Through this, they learn the importance of preparation before starting any construction work. Students then learn by taking part in various construction tasks, including excavation, footing, and rebar preparation and placement. Alongside the practical work, they are introduced to basic construction drawings, such as excavation plans, footing drawings, and rebar drawings. We also emphasize the correct use of tools and effective teamwork. Students work in small groups so they can support one another and practice each step.
By the end of January, the students had a stronger understanding of early-stage construction work, how to read drawings, and how to apply their learning on-site through hands-on experience. We are hopeful for a successful outcome and that the students learn much from every project that they work on in their training.
Natural Farming School
The Natural Farming students are currently in Mae Sariang for a one-month training with instructors in Thailand. They are learning key topics, including the biblical mandate in natural farming, small-farm management, Karen heritage in natural farming, and natural farming marketing.
Before coming to Mae Sariang, the students had been actively preparing through hands-on practice at their site areas. Their recent activities included community visits, clearing land to expand farm areas, building chicken coops, and constructing animal feed storage. This training helps strengthen both their practical skills and their understanding of sustainable, community-centered farming.
We are so grateful for these students, and we look forward to seeing them to learn and practice well in their training.
Year 5 PA Students in Mae Sariang
In January, the Year 5 PA students spent two weeks in Mae Sariang, our branch office learning center in Thailand, for medical training and a break. During the first week, they trained with Scottish pediatric specialist Dr. Anne, focusing on neonatal care, newborn resuscitation (helping babies breathe), triage for sick children, and common childhood diseases found at RTC.
In the second week, Dr. Jeanne and nurse practitioner Sarah led training, covering snakebite management, basic trauma care, OB-GYN case reviews, and additional topics requested by the students.
We are grateful that these students had the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on skills that will be needed for their future PA clinical practice. It was also a time for them to rest, reflect, and recharge in Mae Sariang before beginning their self-study period for their final exams.
Get Involved
As you consider your end-of-year giving, we have many ways you can help make a lasting impact on the Karen people!
Become a monthly donor
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Start a fundraiser
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Mail a check to our address below, give online, or contact Jill Carver, Associate Executive Director, at jill@earth-mission.org to explore your giving ideas.