John Ten Khant is one of two Burmese students my husband and I hosted through PH International (formerly Project Harmony) in May 2023. He thoroughly endeared himself to us and we have stayed in touch. He was delighted to achieve his dream of going to college in the U.S. and entered his freshman year at Centre College of Kentucky (receiving generous financial assistance) as a freshman last fall.

However, financial and emotional pressures have caused him to take a temporary leave of absence and move to Indianapolis to be near his uncle’s family. Meanwhile, life in Burma (re-named Myanmar by the military junta that took over in 2021) has become increasingly dangerous and untenable for many citizens, including John's parents who have fled to Thailand.

Now his father, Ye Kyaw Thu, has been diagnosed with mouth cancer and treatment costs are far beyond their ability to pay. John has taken 2 jobs so as to send as much assistance as he can, but that will fall way short. He estimates the total cost of treatment to be a bit over $10,000—pretty slim by our standards, but way hefty by theirs.

There’s much going on around us right now that causes me to feel powerless to make a difference. I figure this is a concrete way to help relieve at least one piece of the suffering going on. If you feel the same, your contribution of any amount would be welcome and well-used.