According to a Harris Poll, Christmas was ranked as the favorite holiday by the majority of Americans and perhaps more interesting, Christmas was the top choice across all generations, political persuasions and racial lines as well. I think one of the reasons that Christmas is so popular is that we put aside our differences for a season and focus on bringing joy and happiness to others, especially children. When our children were younger, each Christmas eve they would faithfully leave a glass of milk and cookies near the fireplace for Santa (and of course some carrots for the reindeer as well). Early Christmas morning they would rush down the stairs with squeals of delight to find that Santa had left them presents and that the milk, cookies and carrots had vanished.

Creating happy memories for our children is one of my favorite Christmas traditions; but for many children around the world who face poverty and oppression this is a daunting task. In 2009 I was asked to help provide relief to the children of Burma through a Medic Training Program overseen by the Partners Relief and Development Organization whose vision is "Free, full lives for children by conflict and oppression". According to the World Health Organization, healthcare in Burma (also known as Myanmar) was ranked as the worst in the world in the year 2000. Although there have been some improvements since that time, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Myanmar still has over 241,000 people, mostly women and children, living in refugee camp conditions. Nearly half of these people remain displaced as a result of ongoing armed conflicts.

In response to this ongoing humanitarian crisis, Partners Relief and Development, a Christian Relief Agency, was asked to help provide a Medic Training Program in the Southern Shan State of Burma. Since 2009 I have traveled to Burma each November to participate in this program. I just finished my 10th trip where I was honored to participate in the training and the graduation ceremony on November 12th for the class of 2019 which included 28 Medic Students. Since the Medic program began, over 228 Medics have been trained. The program is managed by an amazing husband and wife Doctor Team from New Zealand who oversee the 8-month training program with the assistance of visiting teachers such as me.

Dr. Cochrane training Medic students in the villages of Shan State where there has historically been no access to healthcare, these medics are now providing help and hope to their people and saving lives. Although they face incredible hardships, they are some of the happiest and most thankful people I have ever met. This year, during hospital rounds a patient who came in with suspected malaria suddenly lapsed into a coma and quit breathing. The students sprang into action immediately and following the training we have given them they put their skills to the test. After inserting an IV and administering emergency medications, the patient began breathing on his own again. He went on to regain consciousness and is expected to recover.

During the Holiday Season we are reminded that it is more of a blessing to give than to receive and I feel that I re-learn this truth each year when I travel to Burma to train these incredible students who have to struggle to hard just to survive. I greatly appreciate the team at Hospice of the Valleys who make it possible for me to participate in these annual trips which are helping to provide "Free full lives for children affected by conflict and oppression". If you would like to help create some happy memories for a child in need. I would encourage you and your family to consider supporting the ongoing work of Partners Relief and Development. https://www.partners.ngo