Patience and Commitment
CAI’ s work began in the remote villages of Baltistan, a region in northern Pakistan’ s Karakoram Mountains. CAI Co-Founder Greg Mortenson first traveled there in 1993 to climb K2, the world’ s second-highest mountain. Over the next few years, he returned several times as he worked to fulfill his dream to build a school in Korphe village and form CAI.
In the years since, education has had a profound effect on these impoverished, subsistence farming and herding communities.“ Real change takes one or two generations and we are now beginning to see that,” Mortenson said.
But it is a difficult place to work. The remoteness and lack of modern amenities means that“ many small things are big obstacles,” said Mohammad Nazir, CAI’ s Baltistan program manger. Poverty persists; most families survive on subsistence farming and herding. Houses are mud brick. The only“ industry” in the region, tourism, has been hard hit by increasing terrorism attacks in Pakistan.
CAI’ s goal was to start schools at the remote ends of the most remote valleys, places where there were no schools. CAI’ s approach evolved over time but generally includes community contributions of land, building materials, and manual labor. CAI provides the other materials and skilled labor, along with teacher training, salaries, and support.
The second phase of CAI’ s work has involved helping students continue their education beyond the level available in their communities. This includes scholarships as well as school expansions.
“ There is always need for expansion
Two of the Korphe teachers and four of the Hushe teachers attended the schools where they now teach.
of schools – more teachers, land, classrooms,” Nazir said.“ And now there are requests for science labs, electricity and computers, and libraries.”
Students who started in CAI-supported schools are now young men and women. Two of the Korphe teachers and four of Hushe teachers attended the schools where they now teach. Others have pursued higher education in the city centers from far home. CAI’ s commitment to them continues. n
6 | Footsteps CENTRAL ASIA INSTITUTE