Journey Of Hope - Fall 2018 Journey of Hope 2018 | Page 14

REMOTE:
Working in an Unforgiving Land
Join Us On The Central Asian Frontier
The
word
remote
conjures
up thoughts of far-off, secluded
landscapes — humid jungles, windy
mountain tops, and vast wildernesses.
It is a romantic notion, laced with more
than a hint of danger. But for most of
us, with busy jobs and responsibilities
at home, remoteness is something we
don’t get to experience often.
So, when CAI’s mission was reworked
to include an emphasis on education
and livelihood skills in remote regions
of Central Asia, we knew we had to
bring you with us as we travel to these
distant destinations.
W
e are driving into the sky. At least
that is what it looks like as we crest
the latest hill and the blue void stretches
out wide in front of us. This high above sea
level oxygen is noticeably absent. I inhale
deeply to catch my breath. My stomach
goes weightless for a split second as we tip
downward and begin the short descent to
the next hill.
My companions and I are driving from
Khorog to Murghab. The route, 196 miles of
dust and rocks, is known as highway M41.
The pot holes in the road (and I apply the
term "road" loosely here) could swallow a
12 | JOURNEY OF HOPE
by Hannah White
In the following pages, we invite you
to join CAI Communications Director
Hannah White as she makes the
treacherous journey to Kona Kurgan
High School in Tajikistan. Experience
for yourself what it takes to reach
and support schools on the fringe
of civilization.
Want the full experience?
Watch videos and see
photos of the journey at
CentralAsiaInstitute.org/remote.
man. Snow and ice still spatter the higher
peaks, even in late July.
It is absolutely, unequivocally beautiful.
Up and up we climb. To either side of us
the scrubby brush, known locally as zhash,
gives way to barren rock. There are no trees.
No grass. We are in a moonscape. Nothing
lives here … almost.
A donkey wanders by. He stops occasion-
ally to inspect this rock or that rock. He’s not
in a hurry. The donkey should be more alert
because, although we don’t see them, wolves
do live here. Packs roam this territory look-
ing for the unsuspecting goat or lamb that
wanders too far from its herd.
My companion tells me that not long ago
an elderly woman was killed by a wolf. She
was doing chores around her homestead
early in the morning when she was attacked.
Tragically she died from her wounds, a re-
minder to all the people in the area that there
are dangers lurking not too far out of sight.
The intense sun and scouring wind are un-
bearable at times. Many people cover their
faces with scarves or ski masks for a sliver of
protection, giving them a menacing look. In
reality, they are some of the friendliest men
and women I’ve ever met.
CENTRAL ASIA INSTITUTE