Musakhil Girl's Primary School      Gulapur Girls' Primary School         Pushgar Girls' Primary School    Parwan Province, Afghanistan      Baltistan, Pakistan                       Panjshir Province, Afghanistan

All these projects and more are reflected in the story on CAI's ongoing project survey, illustrated with small photos of dozens of CAI's schools, vocational centers and water projects. The survey results are itemized in our master list, a "living" document of our work to help communities build a better future for themselves.

Getting around to document these projects is not easy. Greg's vision of working in some of the world's "last best places" translates into some rough travel for anyone determined to see the projects in person.

For weeks, we live out of duffel bags and backpacks, on the road with CAI's project managers.

Ellen Jaskol and Karin Ronnow in Zebak District, Badahkshan Province, Afghanistan, September, 2011.

We stop at police and military roadblocks and sign in and out.

We sleep on floors in people's homes and wake with the roosters.

We pop ibuprofen for sore backs, necks and shoulders.

We meet people unaccustomed to foreigners. And we get stared at - a lot.

But as Ellen once said, "I love it. Nowhere else in my life do people see me and get so excited that they run home and tell their mothers!"

For the second year running, her photos capture that enthusiasm and the pride of local people, as well as the heartbreaking realities of life in the impoverished, remote communities we serve. Her photos are a window into a world few people get to see.

That our travels sometimes make family and friends a little nervous is probably an understatement. They worry.

But to paraphrase something author Ethan Casey said at CAI's October "Building Bridges of Peace Conference" in Chicago: The world is not primarily a scary place. It is primarily a place full of interesting people and countless stories.

And, for me, that's it. Those people and their stories make every bump in the road well worth it. I wouldn't trade this work for anything. After all, telling stories is what I do.

NOTE: Ellen and I are also available to share our photos and stories. For more information about scheduling an appearance, call 406.585.7841 or email media@ikat.org.

To see the electronic version of the Journey of Hope, Vol. 5, click here.

In the letter to supporters that accompanies the Journey of Hope Vol. 5 mailing this month,acting executive director Anne Beyersdorfer thanked CAI's supporters "for their continued compassion and generosity during CAI's historic 2011."

Student at CAI's English and Computer School in Kabul.

Her letter offers insight into some of the changes at CAI in the past year, including the organizational shift "conceived of years ago and accelerated by unprecedented events this past year."

She emphasized that ,"the principles that guided Greg in building CAI's strong foundation will continue to serve the organization. CAI is focused on the continuity of our relationships, the importance of our mission, and the accountability to both." 

And her list of the organization's operational accomplishments - including a restated mission; the project survey and master list; updated bylaws and policies, with particular attention to overseas expenditures; an updated website; and an annual report - offer insight into the CAI's evolution.

"Central Asia Institute and the communities we serve are profoundly grateful for your continued support," Anne wrote. "As it says on the signs that mark CAI's overseas projects, each one is 'A Gift to the Children.' Thank you for your part in helping them build a better future for themselves."

Click here to purchase

And it wouldn't be a holiday season without a new CAI Journey of Hope calendar for the coming year.

This year's edition includes more of Ellen's stunning photos, taken during our travels overseas to document Central Asia Institute's projects.

All purchases help us with our mission to promote and support community-based education, especially for girls, in remote regions of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.

The limited-edition wall calendar is available online for $10. You can also order copies by emailing info@ikat.org or calling 406.585.7841. 

Kuchi children study outside in the Char Asiab Valley of Afghanistan's Kabul Province, where CAI provides tent schools to the nomadic Kuchis.

Help us promote girls' education, literacy and peace: one penny, one pencil, one child, one book, and three cups of tea at a time! Make a tax deductible donation to Central Asia Institute to promote and support community-based education, especially for girls, in remote regions of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.

https://www.ikat.org/make-a-donation

CAI is U.S. registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, IRS EIN #51-0376237. Contributions are tax-deductible

in the U.S.