Together, we turned Giving Tuesday into Teacher Tuesday
When Umeed Primary School in remote Pakistan ran into financial difficulty, Ghulam Nabi continued teaching. For nearly a year, he worked without pay.
On Giving Tuesday 2020, Central Asia Institute seized on this national day of charitable giving to draw attention to the extreme hardship that Ghulam and so many other teachers living in mountainous, impoverished communities face. We reached out to our friends and supporters to ask them to help pay teachers’ salaries. And boy did they respond! We directed the $120,000+ in funds we raised to our overseas partners including in Pakistan. They, in turn, sent funds to Umeed Primary where Ghulam was teaching. His salary was paid, as well as the annual salaries of 80 other teachers in remote Central Asia.
“Teaching gives me satisfaction that cannot be purchased with money.” Ghulam Nabi
After graduation Ghulam was hired as a sweeper in a private primary school in the remote village of Chunda in Pakistan’s Skardu district. Schools are few and far between in this part of the world. The schools that do exist lack funding. While cleaning the floors, Ghulam would stop to help students with their studies. The school management took note. Impressed by the young man’s knowledge and interest in the students, they offered Ghulam an assistant teacher position at the school.
“This not only made me feel really appreciated and encouraged but was also a moment of extreme happiness for me,” says Ghulam. “I promised myself and the management to work hard to fulfill their expectations and contribute to the best of my level in the role of teacher.”
Ghulam’s salary was cut when the school went through a funding crisis. “Even though I was very disappointed, I chose to continue my teaching service on a voluntary basis for the future of those children,” he explains. “Teaching gives me satisfaction that cannot be purchased with money!”
But feeling satisfied at work doesn’t put food on the table. Ghulam was barely hanging on financially. He and dozens of other teachers caught in the same situation needed help.
“When we believe in tomorrow’s prosperity, we get the courage to endure today’s hardships.”
We reached out to our community of donors to raise funding for teacher support on a national day of charitable giving called Giving Tuesday. We used last year’s Giving Tuesday campaign to draw attention to the extreme hardship that teachers face in mountainous, impoverished regions of Central Asia, and raised more than $120,000. We sent funds to our partner in Pakistan. They, in turn, sent funds to Umeed Primary where Ghulam was teaching. His salary was paid, as well as the annual salaries of another 80 teachers in remote Central Asia.
Giving Tuesday supported quality education
In addition to receiving his salary, Ghulam was selected to attend a CAI-sponsored capacity-building workshop that focused on improving classroom teaching practices. Being selected for the workshop was a real confidence booster. “I truly enjoyed the entire training session,” he says.
The Giving Tuesday funds were a lifeline for Ghulam and the other 80 teachers. Those funds made quality education possible for girls and boys born into this remote, impoverished corner of the world. Supporting teachers allowed the children to continue on their education path.
Ghulam turns philosophical when describing the impact of the funding. “I believe that with the help of such support, one day I will be able to bring my family out of extreme poverty and lead them to a prosperous life ahead.”
Help us impact 100 teachers
The Giving Tuesday funds were a lifeline for Ghulam and the other 80 teachers. Those funds made quality education possible for girls and boys born into this remote, impoverished corner of the world. Supporting teachers allowed the children to continue to learn.
Next Tuesday, November 30th, we invite you to help us turn Giving Tuesday into Teacher Tuesday. Last year we impacted the lives of 81 teachers. This year we’re raising the bar and setting our goal at $153,600, which will cover the salaries of 100 teachers.
Show your support for education this coming Tuesday by contributing to CAI’s Giving Tuesday campaign. By doing so, you’ll not only help pay the salaries of 100 female and male teachers, but also keep the hope for a better tomorrow alive for them and their students.
Why wait – donate today
Together we can replicate the impact of last year’s Giving Tuesday—and surpass it. No need to wait for November 30th.
Giving Tuesday is a national day of giving, celebrated on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Giving Tuesday donations to CAI are used to create positive change through education in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Pakistan.
