Creating Reciprocal Communication :
CAI works with people who speak different languages and follow very different cultural norms . After a few key miscommunications , Greg learned to be meticulous with his words .
“ When you are communicating with people who have a very different language , you need to know if they really understand what you ’ re saying and do you really understand what they ’ re saying ,” explains Greg .
“ You have to be very , very aware when you ’ re communicating with people . It ’ s probably the number one cause of problems and failures when people aren ’ t culturally aware . It comes down to having empathy and respect for each other .”
CELEBRATING ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Though a daunting amount of work remains to ensure women and girls have access to education worldwide , Greg is proud of many of the accomplishments the organization has earned over the past two decades .
Staying With Communities :
“ I ’ m proud that CAI has resolve to stick with the communities that we ’ ve served . We ’ ve seen valleys , regions or districts from complete illiteracy all the way to having college graduates .”
In the beginning , CAI ’ s main goal was to provide a path for young girls to complete at least a fifth-grade education . Over the years , CAI has continued to adapt to the needs of each growing community . It may start with supplying pencils and paper , then building a high school when enough girls want to continue learning . It may end with awarding scholarships for higher education and seeing these same young girls earn advanced degrees .
“ I get teary eyed and feel a swelling of pride in my chest seeing a little girl in rubber boots in the Wakhan going to her first day of school or watching a young woman in Pakistan getting her master ’ s or Ph . D . It ’ s not that CAI did that or I did that . That young woman did that . Helping her get there is one of the greatest achievements of the organization .”
Communities Become Empowered :
Over two decades Greg witnessed the growth and change of many of these communities . He ’ s met many village elders , helped motivated girls continue learning , and developed a strong relationship with the people in these countries . By helping them out in small ways — building schools , providing higher education , listening to the needs of each community — Greg has been able to watch these communities flourish .
“ I have great confidence that the people can ultimately affect their own destinies ,” says Greg . “ I ’ m honored that we ’ ve been able to have a hand in helping people create their own path . I truly believe that people can make their own difference .”
“ It ’ s not just about equality . Women need to have a decisive say in the future of our planet .”
On to the Next Twenty Years :
Greg believes the world is on the cusp of the next revolution , one that sees women as leaders , running peace talks , leading in Math and Science , and heading global initiatives . To make this happen , girls ’ education has to be top priority around the globe .
Right now , girls make up two thirds of the number of children out of school . Without access to education , women and girls are held back from participating in economics , politics , and a global future .
“ It ’ s not just about equality . Women need to have a decisive say in the future of our planet .”
Fortunately , Greg has witnessed progress that gives him hope for the future , “ Women are becoming Supreme Court Justices , even in Afghanistan . Women are becoming presidents of universities and countries , and leaders in science and innovation .”
In order for women and girls to continue gaining ground and leadership , CAI and other organizations focused on peace through education need to follow the lessons learned over the past 20 years .
“ Pay attention to the details . Keep listening and trying new things ,” encourages Greg .
“ Perhaps they can ’ t get their homework done because they can ’ t study at night and they have to do chores . If you open the school door a half hour or an hour early , the kids can tell their parents they have to be to school at that time and they have time to study . Be adaptable in your programming .”
Over the past 20 years Greg has seen education better the lives of hundreds of women and girls , and those girls have bettered the lives of everyone in their communities . Once a girl learns to read , or receives a diploma , there is no going back for her .
“ Education gives women a voice . Once you have a voice it can ’ t be taken away from you . Education is indelible .”
In the next 20 years CAI schools and educational programs will continue to grow , and more women will receive an education and take their place in society among men . Those brave women will be the first in many fields and will face incredible challenges . It is our hope that we can prepare this next generation of students , those who will take their place in the world as future leaders . •
Katie Smith is CAI ’ s communications manager . She came on board full time after a stint freelance writing blogs and articles for CAI . Originally from New Hampshire , Smith moved to Montana to teach Nordic skiing and pursue a career in public relations a few years after earning a Bachelor ’ s of Psychology and Environmental Studies at St . Lawrence University . After completing her M . S . in Public Relations at MSU Billings , she led PR efforts for several companies in the outdoor industry and locally in Bozeman .
When she ’ s not at work she ’ s most likely outside hiking , biking , skiing , running or backpacking with her Airedale terrier mix , Andy .
4 | JOURNEY OF HOPE CENTRAL ASIA INSTITUTE