From the Field: Students graduate shortly after major battle
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
PHILIPPIANS 1:6 NIV
Heartfelt Congratulations to EM Class of 2026! All the Best and Blessings!
Every end is a new beginning. This year, 11 Physician Associate (PA) students who enrolled in 2021 successfully graduated after five years of study and earned their Bachelor of Science degrees. At the same time, four Engineering Technician (E-tech) students who enrolled in 2023 completed their three-year program and received their Diplomas in Engineering. In addition, five Natural Farming students joined the ceremony after completing their one-year program.
Among the PA graduates, four will remain at Rain Tree Clinic to serve as PA staff, while seven will return to their home areas to serve in local clinics. For the E-tech graduates, two will stay at the clinic, and two will return to their areas to serve as Engineering Technicians. The Natural Farming students will continue their studies into Year 2, where they will choose their major areas of focus, such as livestock, agriculture, or herbal medicine.
February Training Updates
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During February 2026, the Physician Assistant (PA) program continued teaching activities for students from Year 1 to Year 5.
Year 1 students studied critical reading, microbiology, Medical math, practical English, Public Health, medical ethics, and general English, with mentoring support for Medical Math. A final cumulative exam was conducted, and all students passed.
Year 2 students completed a one-week Mental Health course and studied abdominal pain, related pharmacology, and normal labor.
Year 3 students also attended a Mental Health course and learned about Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH), Abnormal Labor, and SOAP note presentations.
Year 4 students completed two weeks of Mental Health teaching and joined weekly virtual SOAP sessions.
Year 5 students had their Final Theory Examination on 5 February, followed by the OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) on 13 February.
As the school year ends, preparations for the new academic year, which will begin in March or April, are underway. Year 1 students will attend a boot camp in March, with regular classes beginning in April. Year 2 students will travel to Mae Sariang for four weeks of training focused on how to take patient history and perform physical examinations. Year 3 and Year 4 students are on vacation and have returned home during the break, while Year 5 students will graduate this week, marking the completion of their PA training program.
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The Engineering Tech Training program continues to improve the quality of education by providing organized courses and project guidance for Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3 students. During February, students joined learning activities that helped strengthen their basic knowledge and practical skills.
Year 1 students attended lectures on Project Management, learning the meaning of a project, its characteristics, and the basic principles of managing engineering and construction projects. They also learned the difference between projects and regular operations.
Year 2 students studied Construction Estimation, focusing on calculating materials, quantities, and costs for reinforced concrete buildings, especially substructure works.
Year 3 students worked on their graduation projects, presenting proposals and receiving guidance from teachers.
2026 New Student Selection
The 2026 student selection process is complete. For the PA program, 13 students were chosen from 21 candidates, and for the E-tech program, six students were selected from 10 candidates. For the PA and E-tech program, 16 of the selected students are from northern Karen State and three are from southern Karen State.
Students were selected based on strong performance in clinical experience, written examinations, and oral interviews, as well as on their honesty and commitment to serving their communities after graduation. Those selected demonstrated excellent placement test scores, confidence during interviews, good leadership and communication skills, logical thinking, calmness, and maturity. They showed careful observation in their clinical work, a genuine interest in what they are doing, and a strong sense of responsibility. While these were the main selection criteria, there were a few exceptions. Some students are not yet strong in Burmese and may lack leadership experience; however, we chose them because they demonstrated strength in other essential qualities for growth and future service.
Thank you for your prayers throughout the 2026 student selection process. We look forward to seeing these students learn wholeheartedly and serve faithfully after completing their five years in the PA program. We are praying for their perseverance in their studies, especially in the face of hardship. We are also deeply thankful for God’s protection amid the ongoing battles nearby and the unexpected airstrikes occurring throughout the country. His faithfulness continues to sustain us.
“Dear beloved ones…
PA Naw Lah Khu Wah, Year 5 Graduate.
From the very first day you enter medical school,
Your life will not be an easy path.
There will be a lot to study.
There will be nights without sleep.
You may fail exams.
You may lose your words during the viva (oral exams).
Some days, you may even lose confidence in yourself.
But …
This journey is not only for the smartest people.
It is not for those who never fall.
It is for those who get back up every time they fall.
Mental strength does not mean never crying.
It does not mean never feeling pain.
It means continuing to move forward even after feeling discouraged.
One day, you yourself will become someone’s hope.
For your patients, all your struggles will have meaning.
If you do not stop in the middle of today’s difficulties,
Tomorrow you will become someone you are proud of.
So …
Be strong in spirit.
Believe in yourself.
Even when the path is unclear, do not stop.
You are a future PA.”
Boot Camp Kicks Off for New Students
At the end of February, we began the selection interviews for our next cohort of students. In March, these new students take part in boot camp, a four-week program meant to test them mentally and physically. Boot camp brings the group together and ensures they’re prepared for the rigors of high-stakes work saving patients or building/repairing infrastructure in a war zone.
Massive Civilian Casualties Sustained in Major Battle
Our MKSH (Mobile Karen Surgical Hospital) team on the front line continues to treat many patients injured in the conflict. In January, five injured patients were treated at MKSH. In February, the number increased to 56 patients, including 52 people who were injured on February 6 alone. Most of the injuries were caused by RPG explosions, bombs, airstrikes, bullets, and landmines. Some patients required referral for further medical care, with six patients sent to RTC Hospital and six others referred to Thailand. The injuries treated included wounds to the legs, chest, back, neck, shoulders, knees, ankles, hands, and face. Several patients required surgery because of severe trauma caused by explosions and gunshot wounds.
Even in the midst of suffering and fear, many people continue to hope and pray for peace. The Bible reminds us of God’s promise:
“Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.” Isaiah 2:4
This verse reminds us that, one day, battles will end and people will live in peace. Until that day, many people continue to work, serve, and pray for healing and hope in the midst of conflict.
Matt Blauer took numerous photos on the front lines.
With the conflict ramping up in our region, we've been reflecting on why our PA and E-tech programs and our hospitals are so important.
We don't treat only soldiers at our mobile front-line clinic. We'll treat anyone who comes to us for help, and unfortunately, there are plenty of civilians in the immediate area, in and around the fighting. It's for people like these that we're trying to build health care infrastructure and train medical professionals in Karen State; we want everyday folks to have a safe, reliable place to seek treatment near their homes.
Despite everything, our programs are getting stronger and stronger. Our goal is permanent health care infrastructure, which the war makes incredibly difficult, but we are succeeding. Our students are able to keep training, even though so many other programs have shut down, which gives them hope and purpose. Patients travel to us because they feel safe with us.
There are many battles going on nearby, so we expect more displaced people and injuries ... a busier year in general. This means we will have an increased need for food, medicine, and other essential supplies. As always, we put our trust in God and in His faithful provision. To our donors, we are so grateful for your continued prayers and generous support! Thank you for your partnership - none of this would be possible without all of you!
