An awe-inspiring visit

In January, my wife and I were fortunate enough to visit and meet some of the team from our  implementing partner at their Mae Sariang office in Thailand. We came away totally inspired by this amazing team of individuals who have come together to bring God's love to a land that does not see that much love at the moment.

The team, mostly all Karen, work incredibly hard in truly trying conditions to bring medical aid to areas where there is no such thing as a doctor and very little medical support. In an area where the maternal mortality rate is 721 per 100,000 births (in Australia it is 6 per 100,000 births) and the under 5 child mortality rate is 136 per 1000 children  (in Australia it is 3.5 per 1000), lifesaving medical support is drastically needed.

The area that they are working in Myanmar is extremely challenging, making living and working conditions extremely difficult. The tropical jungle is not your friend when you trying to bring in urgently needed medical supplies, or transport patients. The rainy season turns tracks to slush and there are swollen rivers to cross.

The medical staff and support team work in truly dangerous conditions, often having to develop innovative techniques to overcome surgical difficulties. The team are leaders in the development of new practices with technology. 

I would love to tell you so much more on the work about the amazing staff, the students and their patients; and hopefully one day soon I safely can.

Jeff Fullelove lives in Perth and has been on the Board of SPM since 2011. He and his wife Marg are heavily involved with the Karen community in Perth and have a deep love for the people and nation of Myanmar.

Jeff and his team with Dr Mitch and Caryl Ryan from EMA (centre).