The mountains of Tajikistan's rural Gorno-Badakhshan
Autonomous Oblast tell a story all their own. Part of
the ancient Silk Road, this valley has been traversed by
many travelers for more than 20 centuries. This portion
of the road is now part of Tajikistan’s Ishkashim District,
and much like the rest of the Gorno-Badakhshan
Autonomous Oblast's region, these heavily trafficked
roads are rugged and poorly maintained.
A young girl admires a hand-drawn map
of Montana. Like most of the kids in her
class, she speaks a little bit of English,
and fosters a glimmer of curiosity about
the world outside of her own.
Children at Pish Primary School laugh on the steps of their
newly rebuilt school as they sneak a moment to themselves
without the adults looking on. The kids take pride in their
uniforms and manage to balance their strict schooling with
the joys of childhood.
8 | JOURNEY OF HOPE
CENTRAL ASIA INSTITUTE