Due to isolationist military rule, ongoing civil war, and the government’s resistance to external humanitarian aid, Myanmar experiences debilitating poverty, and is fractured by the suppression of ethnic groups. Karen State, with a population of 1.57 million, experiences some of the worst health outcomes in the world: 1 in 12 children dies before reaching their 5th birthday, and 40% of these deaths are caused by preventable diseases like pneumonia, malaria, and diarrhea.

ODW is partnering with Earth Mission to support healthcare infrastructure and engineering solutions in remote medical clinics in Karen State.  Our partnership enables Earth Mission to expand its Engineering Technology training program, through which Karen young adults learn technical skills to support healthcare infrastructure.  An estimated 35,000 patients will eventually be impacted by the work of this cohort of students as they provide technical support at clinics throughout Karen State.  E-Tech students will also gain hands-on experience by upgrading the solar electric system at Earth Mission’s teaching hospital, doubling the system’s capacity and providing power to the hospital campus that serves over 6,000 patients annually.