LETTER FROM THE
Executive Director
Dear Friends,
I’ m so pleased to share this 2025-26 edition of the Journey of Hope magazine with you. Next year, Central Asia Institute will turn thirty. That’ s three decades of impact, of believing that education is the key to addressing many of society’ s biggest problems and creating opportunities and empowerment where none existed before. These thirty years have been made possible thanks to the unflagging support of you, our dedicated donors.
I just returned from a trip to Tajikistan, where I had the chance to spend time with our in-country partner, visit the recently completed Preschool # 2, and review renovation plans for two more schools. I also met with many of the amazing women participating in our Economic Empowerment Program who have capitalized on their native skills and created their own thriving small businesses. I left feeling inspired and energized by the progress I saw all around me. I hope that you’ ll feel the same way as you read the stories profiled in these pages.
In this year’ s JOH, the CAI team and I are also excited to highlight our work in Pakistan, which ranges from educational support to creating job opportunities for women and youth. We also supported the installation of more than 40 gender-segregated school washrooms across the communities we serve, offering safe, sanitary, private toileting options to students, an accommodation that will particularly address the needs of young girls entering menstruation, thereby helping them to stay in school.
In Afghanistan, we have continued to reshape the way our programs operate to meet the everchanging restrictions imposed upon them by the Taliban. Despite obstacles, we remain fully committed to basic education for girls and currently support over 5,000 primary school students, mostly girls. Following on the success of our Women’ s Economic Empowerment Programs in Pakistan and Tajikistan, we just launched a similar initiative in Afghanistan, aided by our local partners. Through this pilot project, women are learning skills in trades such as dairy production and mushroom cultivation, allowing them to generate much-needed income for their households.
None of this would be possible without your investment in our mission. Every week, I speak with passionate donors, some of whom have supported CAI since the organization was founded. Each time, I am astounded and humbled by your selfless generosity. As we embark on the creation of a new strategic plan to help lay the foundation for our next thirty years, we are grateful to have you walking beside us, paving the way toward a better, more equitable future for all.
Thank you for your belief in the power of education to change the world. Thank you for believing that“ she is key”.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Alice R. Thomas, Executive Director Central Asia Institute
2 | 2025-2026 JOURNEY OF HOPE CENTRAL ASIA INSTITUTE