By Marianne Monoc
We all strive to find purpose and meaning in our lives. One impactful way is through supporting charitable causes, which can help create lasting positive change in our communities and even the world. For many individuals, including nonprofits in their legacy plans is a natural extension of their lifelong commitment to giving.
Legacy giving goes beyond making a difference today—it’s about ensuring that your values and dedication to helping others live on for generations to come. It allows you to consider not only how you can make an impact now, but also how you can create change for the future.
Helping to ensure the sustainability of CAI with an estate gift demonstrates your strong belief in the power of education. Your support for our mission will serve as an inspiration to others, enriching the communities we serve for many years to come.
Legacy giving is one of the most meaningful ways to show your commitment to the long-term success and growth of our organization. It also offers many financial advantages, including potential federal estate tax savings, the elimination or reduction of capital gains taxes, and the opportunity to increase spendable income.
Estate gifts can come in a multitude of forms, including the following:
We welcome the opportunity to discuss how your estate gift can play a transformational role in CAI’s mission and perpetuate your personal values beyond your lifetime. If you have already included CAI in your estate plans, please let us know so we can thank you and officially welcome you as a cherished member of the CAI Legacy Society.
For more information, please visit our website or contact Alice Thomas, Executive Director at athomas@centralasiainstitute.org
By Bella Pich and Tonya Andrews
At CAI, we believe empowering women is the most effective way to reduce poverty, strengthen families, and foster lasting community resilience. That’s why donor support fuels our Women’s Economic Empowerment Programs—initiatives that equip women with the skills, tools, and confidence to participate in local economies and transform their lives.
The programs were first started in Tajikistan, where CAI laid the foundation for women to create their own paths to financial freedom by offering them practical business training and entrepreneurial support. Building on this success, the model expanded to Pakistan and now CAI is launching a pilot Women’s Economic Empowerment Program in Afghanistan, tailored to address unique local challenges and help women there begin to reclaim their financial independence. In the stories ahead, you’ll learn how these programs are helping women reshape their beliefs about what’s possible for themselves, their families, and future generations.
In Kalai Khumb along the Pyandzh River in Tajikistan, 46-year-old Maisara spent most of her days raising children and managing household chores. She enjoyed her role as a mother and caretaker and rarely thought about life beyond her home. In her spare time, she practiced traditional Tajik embroidery and sewing, never imagining her hobby could become a source of income.
That changed when she joined Central Asia Institute Tajikistan’s (CAIT) Women’s Economic Empowerment Program, which offers practical training in financial literacy, business planning, and entrepreneurship. “The most important thing for me was learning how to manage money and plan properly,” Maisara recalls. “Before, I never thought seriously about business, but the training gave me the confidence to try.”
With 1,500 Tajikistani somoni (about $157 USD) from her family’s savings, Maisara bought fabric and supplies and began producing handmade goods. Though balancing work and home life was difficult at first, her business steadily grew. “Before, my husband and son had to cover everything. Now, I can contribute. They respect me more.”
Maisara’s transformation reflects the broader impact of CAI’s Women’s Economic Empowerment Programs. In a recent evaluation, 91% of participants reported increased self-confidence, and 97% saw growth in their household income after completing the training.
Today, Maisara mentors over 60 girls, teaches at the district employment center, and leads the local women’s council, showing that the domino effect of empowerment can extend far beyond one home. “The training changed my way of thinking,” she says with a smile. “I believe that if women have the right support, we can all succeed.”
Since 2019, CAI’s economic empowerment programs in Tajikistan have reached more than 360 women—including 150 new participants this year alone. With an average training and start-up cost of just $367 per beneficiary, the results are powerful and manifold: 71% of participants now report better access to healthcare, and 73% have improved access to education, both due to an increase in household income.
Stories like Maisara’s are a testament to what’s possible when women are given tools, training, and trust. With the right support, they’re not just building businesses; they’re building stronger families, communities, and futures.
Across the lush valleys of northern Pakistan, women have long cared for their family’s fruit and nut trees. Often, these trees produce greater yield than the family can consume—leaving the excess to waste. Though selling the surplus could generate income, many women lack the training and resources to make this happen.
This challenge is part of a larger issue across Pakistan and much of South and Central Asia, where women face economic insecurity, limited access to formal employment, and systemic barriers to independence. Without proper employment training or support, breaking the cycle of poverty remains difficult.
To address these challenges, Central Asia Institute has partnered with Moawin Foundation to help women build sustainable livelihoods. One successful initiative is the CAI-sponsored Fruit and Nut Dehydration Centers in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Six centers now train women, and sometimes their families, to process, dehydrate, and package fruit and nuts for sale in local markets. Most women already have these trees on their land, so the program builds on what they already grow. Each participant receives hands-on instruction and starting supplies.
In the last year alone, nearly 100 women, averaging 47 years in age, saw their income double or triple to 40,000–100,000 Pakistani Rupees (roughly $140–$351 USD). “The trainer showed us how to make Turkish-style apricots and jams. It was like unlocking a treasure chest of knowledge,” said one participant. “Last year my income was 22,000 PKR [about $78]—after the training, it increased to 48,000 PKR [about $170].”
But the impact doesn’t end there. These women now have the skills and confidence to pass on what they’ve learned, empowering other women and girls in their villages. And with a modest investment of just $285 per beneficiary, this program is not only changing individual lives but also paving the way to uplift families and strengthen entire communities.
In Afghanistan, where the Taliban’s restrictive bans severely limit women’s ability to work and move freely outside the home, economic opportunities have been more difficult to generate. In response, CAI and our two Afghan partner organizations have launched three different Women’s Economic Empowerment Programs to help women generate income for themselves and their families.
Over the last year, Shining Star Educational Organization of Afghanistan (Shining Star) and The Welfare Association for the Development of Afghanistan (WADAN) conducted market surveys to determine potential livelihood options and market gaps. These assessments were essential for understanding how local economies function, evaluating the needs of target populations, and designing effective, community-informed project strategies. Just as importantly, the surveys also offered insight into the social and cultural dynamics at play, particularly the constraints and opportunities shaped by gender roles, traditions, and other societal norms.
Shining Star is currently leading dairy production and processing initiatives, as well as a home-based mushroom cultivation program. WADAN is focusing primarily on dairy production and processing. Through these efforts, 55 women have received cows and milking supplies to produce and sell milk, while 20 women completed dairy processing training focused on making yogurt, cheese, and Quroot—a traditional Afghan dried dairy product. Participants also received starting supplies and entrepreneurship training to launch small-scale businesses.
Twenty women took part in a three-day mushroom cultivation training, giving them the tools to grow and sell mushrooms from home—an especially critical solution as many are unable to leave their houses without a male guardian. The women are currently in the process of growing and harvesting their mushrooms, to sell them fresh at local markets in their village.
While these programs are still in their early phases, it was shown in a recent case study that targeted vocational training programs allow women-led enterprises to thrive in culturally sensitive and community-supported ways. They serve as promising examples for replication in other provinces aiming to empower women through economic inclusion and skill development.
To date, nearly 400 women have participated in CAI-supported Women’s Economic Empowerment Programs across the three countries we serve—each moving one step closer to building a better future. Many have gone on to launch successful small businesses, thanks to the provision of equipment, market connections, and continued coaching. The ripple effects are clearly seen: higher household incomes, improved access to health care and education, and growing leadership roles for women within their communities.
As Rajabsulton, a recent program graduate, shared: “I am so grateful to CAI for the support they gave me during such a difficult period of my life. I had nothing but a dream and a desire to succeed. They gave me the equipment, the training, and the confidence to build my future. Now I know that nothing is impossible if you work hard and look for opportunities.”
Support from donors like you isn’t just funding training—it’s fueling transformation. With modest investments—often less than $600 per participant—Women’s Economic Empowerment Programs deliver lasting, measurable impacts. Women are creating businesses, mentoring others, and breaking the cycle of generational and gender-based poverty. When women rise, entire communities thrive.
By Claire Mei Chevallier
When I was 18, I attended a talk by a mountaineer who became my role model. Nearly a decade later, her story would lead me to the Himalayas—where I would unknowingly become a role model myself.
I sat wide-eyed in a metal folding chair in the backroom of my local REI store as Dr. Sara Safari, the world-renowned Iranian mountaineer, recounted climbing Chomolungma, known in the west as Mt. Everest. I was about to begin college as an undecided major and finally leave my Silicon Valley hometown when I saw the ad for her talk, which she was giving to raise awareness and funds for girls’ education in Nepal. My heart raced as she played videos of village children teaching her Nepali dance and described success stories of girls who received education thanks to Empower Nepali Girls, the nonprofit with which she had partnered. After her lecture, I bought and devoured her memoir, fittingly titled Follow My Footsteps. Floored by her authenticity and dedication to supporting children, she planted the seed for my wish to one day teach in Nepal.
Several years later, I read Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. Perhaps I picked it up because of its similarities to Sara’s story: a climber’s failed mountaineering attempt that led to finding his life’s purpose through a chance meeting with local youth. Reading about Greg’s experience connecting with children around K2, which led him to build them a school and eventually establish the Central Asia Institute, deeply moved me. Sara and Greg’s independent thinking and their service toward others helped lead me to reject the Silicon Valley dream that my family wanted for me and become a teacher instead. Greg’s story further motivated me to volunteer in Nepal, which I finally did in 2024.
Drawn to its aim of “connecting people, connecting nations,” I participated in the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Program, which placed me in a small town in the Kavrepalanchok district of Nepal. During the initial drive to my site, I watched the motorbikes and dense buildings of Kathmandu transition to farm animals, hindu temples, and rice terraces under a hazy orange sun. An hour and a half later, I arrived at my workplace for the next year: a quaint school in the “hills,” which looked more like mountains
to me.
At the school, I was paired with local Nepali educators to co-teach English to 4th-7th graders, and I was eager to improve students’ English as best as I could. But as the year progressed, multiple barriers, like the required textbooks with lessons far too advanced for many students, a memorization-based model of learning, and a schedule that left insufficient time for lesson planning in the way that I was accustomed to caused me to question my effectiveness. In addition, classroom management proved nearly impossible if my co-teacher wasn’t present, since these very sweet but highly energetic children saw foreign volunteers as fun visitors who didn’t need to be taken seriously. I tried to provide one-on-one support for students whose English was weak, but with my Nepali being even worse, my efforts often felt futile.
I had come to Nepal believing that helping students grow into their most successful selves would be achieved by guiding them toward mastery of English. But without a clear assessment plan to track students’ progress, as my Master’s of Education and teaching credential had drilled into me, it was hard to know whether I was having any impact at all.
As a supplemental project, I created a school news club for older students. At the first gathering, I led a team bonding activity that had students respond to get-to-know-you questions while out of their seats— a contrast to their usual schooling model of always sitting on their benches. Afterward, I asked students what they thought of the first meeting. An eighth grader named Aayasha, whom I’d only met once or twice before, looked straight at me with glowing eyes. “Ma’am, you’re amazing! You’re so confident,” she said.
Her comment stunned me. After my carefully-crafted, engaging lesson about school news, what left the greatest impression on this student was the character of her teacher. While I had been so worried about “helping” children academically, this student was inspired by my self-assured demeanor. During the bumpy school bus ride home that afternoon, I wondered why she had said this to me.
When I met Sara years earlier, I saw myself in her: a woman of color who too often had been told what to do. She had quit her career as an engineer before pursuing mountaineering. Meeting this competent young woman of authority, this leader, to whom I could directly relate made me think, “I can be like that, too.” She helped me find the courage to teach when everyone around me seemed to be telling me not to.
It can be difficult to measure impact as a teacher. But Aayasha showed me that I was impacting students simply by showing up as myself and teaching in a way that felt authentic to me. While I can’t be sure my students will recall how to use the past perfect tense, I take solace in the wisdom of American puppeteer Jim Henson, who said, “[Kids] don’t remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are.”
On my last, tearful day of teaching in Nepal, I watched Aayasha win multiple student awards at a school assembly. She later handed me a letter, which said, “Even though we know each other for only some months… just know that I can NEVER forget you.”
And I will never forget them.
Note: The Central Asia Institute does not work in Nepal.
Claire Mei Chevallier is an English Language Arts teacher, writer, outdoors enthusiast, and CAI donor from Northern California. She is an alum of the Fulbright Nepal ETA program (2024-25) and can be reached at claire6chevallier@gmail.com.
By Tonya Andrews
For Eileen Shields-West, the mission of CAI is more than a cause—it’s a calling. A longtime advocate for displaced communities, Eileen’s deep humanitarian experience and personal connection to CAI’s Executive Director, Alice Thomas, brought her to the organization five years ago. “Our first hire at Refugees International’s climate displacement program was Alice,” she recalls. “When I heard she was leading CAI, I wanted to follow her.”
No stranger to non-profit boards, Eileen is the chair emeritus of Refugees International, a nonprofit organization that advocates for refugees and the internally displaced. A journalist by trade, she has reported for CBS, CNN, and NPR, worked as a correspondent for TIME Magazine, and also served as San Francisco Bureau Chief for TIME.
Her decision to join CAI’s board was rooted in her lifelong belief in the power of women to change the world. “Educating girls and women—giving them the tools to delay marriage, to earn a livelihood, to develop self-worth—it changes everything,” she says. “I love that we’re returning to the phrase ‘she is key.’ Because she is. It all begins there.”
Eileen has watched CAI’s work expand in scope and depth, particularly in women’s economic empowerment programs. “The ripple effect is real,” she says. “When women gain income, they gain status. They become trusted in their communities. It lifts everyone.”
When discussing CAI’s community-based schools, Eileen points to children like Amina—a young girl in Afghanistan who once collected garbage to support her family and now attends school. “That one girl learning to read and write
—that changes the trajectory of her life. It starts small, but it echoes outward.”
Eileen is also deeply encouraged by the evolution of CAI’s accountability and monitoring. “We’re not just providing training; we’re tracking outcomes. We’re supporting women year after year as they advance and grow. It’s not one and done.”
Through her years on the board, Eileen has not only deepened her understanding of Central Asia, but has also grown through the insights of fellow board members. “Many have lived or worked in the countries we serve. They bring firsthand context—political challenges, cultural nuances—that deeply inform our decisions,” she says. She is also particularly proud that CAI has remained in Afghanistan in spite of all the difficulties, noting, “We have not given up on pursuing education even with new restrictions—I believe it matters to our supporters and it matters to us.”
When asked what giving means to her, Eileen immediately pointed to impact with this reflection: “Everyone wants to make a difference. And they can—with $30 or $3,000. Every gift matters. Ripple effects start small but they become societal effects.”
By Tonya Andrews
For Moin Khan, education is more than a professional interest—it’s a personal mission shaped by years of experience, family history, and deep ties to Central and South Asia. As a CAI board member, Moin brings a rare blend of international development expertise and on-the-ground connection that gives him both clarity and conviction about CAI’s work.
“My ancestors are from Central and South Asia, and I spent nearly 8 years living and working in Afghanistan,” Moin shares. “I was welcomed into people’s homes, invited to weddings, shared meals, and had real conversations—not just meetings, but friendships.” That personal immersion, he says, shaped his view of a country often misunderstood from afar.
“Afghans are extraordinarily generous. If you compliment someone on something they own, no matter their means, they’ll offer it to you. The sense of giving and hospitality is unlike anything I’ve seen.”
Whether practicing law or working in the international human rights field, Moin’s professional life has spanned multiple countries. Despite the diversity of his projects, he says one factor always stands out: “Education is the game-changer. I’ve seen firsthand how education transforms families, communities, and nations. And I’ve seen how the lack of it limits opportunity.”
That is one reason CAI’s mission resonated so deeply with Moin. “CAI goes where others don’t—to the village level, building trust and delivering real impact. That model is rare, and it’s exactly what makes our work so effective.”
His connection to CAI’s mission runs even deeper through his family. His wife was born in Kabul, and their daughter reminds him daily of what so many girls in the region are denied. “We talk about how lucky we are. We’re one generation away from being on the other side—needing help instead of being able to give it.”
When asked about meaningful moments with CAI, Moin reflects on his admiration for Program Manager Zia Sanaban. “Every time Zia shares stories from the field—letters from girls of families whose lives have been changed—it recharges me. He brings the mission to life in a way that reminds us all why we do this work.”
Looking ahead, Moin is passionate about ensuring CAI continues to adapt. “We must stay rooted in our local relationships, but be flexible in how we deliver education—whether that’s virtual learning, correspondence, or women’s economic empowerment programs. It doesn’t matter what type of project, there will always be roadblocks and then the question is, do I stop here, or do I find a way around this?” Moin shares CAI’s deep commitment to always move forward, regardless of the obstacle.
That perseverance, and the community-led nature of CAI’s work, is what drives Moin’s belief in CAI’s future. “We’re facing challenges, but we’re built for this. And we’ll keep going—for every girl still waiting for her chance to learn.”
By Marianne Monoc
In 2026, Central Asia Institute will turn thirty. For three decades, we have provided sustained support for education and economic opportunity in some of the most remote, impoverished, and underserved communities on earth.
Since its founding in 1996, CAI has made quality education possible for countless children and adults, especially for girls and women, who aren’t afforded the same opportunities as their male counterparts. Whether it’s fostering early childhood development, training teachers in math and science, building and renovating schools, or supporting women to become entrepreneurs, our programs are designed not only to overcome barriers but also to foster the trust and buy-in from the communities we serve by working with them to create viable, long-term solutions. Over this time, we’ve also remained committed to a theory of change that recognizes that She is Key, and that empowering people, especially women and girls, with knowledge and skills leads to transformational change not only for individuals, but for their families, communities, and countries, as well.
Our journey hasn’t been without challenges. But through it all, we’ve never stopped pursuing our mission. Rather, we’ve met adversity with tenacity, inspired by the grit and courage of the women and girls we serve.
Many of our supporters have been with us from the beginning, and that steadfast dedication is a true testament to the importance and necessity of our mission. Whether you have been a CAI champion for years or are new to our family of donors, we are truly honored by and grateful for your investment in education and trust in us. With you at our side, we look forward with excitement and possibility to the next phase of our growth. Stay tuned for more details as we plan the celebration of this important milestone in our history.
By Brittany Heater
Philanthropy is more than just making a gift—it can also be part of a savvy financial strategy.
When we think about smart money moves, we often focus on cutting back, but what if the smartest way to save more was by giving more?
One of the most powerful saving tools may be one you haven’t even considered. By being a strategic philanthropist, you can maximize your impact, drive positive change, and potentially reduce your tax burden. Whether you’re planning your estate or exploring how to utilize your digital assets, gifts of life insurance and cryptocurrency are charitable hidden gems that offer unique and often overlooked ways to save significantly on taxes while continuing to impact the world long after you’re gone.
This approach can provide the most benefits to both you and your cause. You can either transfer ownership of an existing policy to the charity or take out a new policy naming the charity as both owner and beneficiary.
If the charity owns the policy, your premium payments may be tax-deductible and because there are no charitable contribution limits regarding estate tax, no matter the size of the policy, you benefit from every dollar you invest. This method can turn the premiums you pay into a future gift.
Selecting a charity as the beneficiary of your life insurance policy is one of the easiest ways to give. It’s simple, doesn’t affect your current cash flow, and allows you to retain control over the policy during your lifetime.
This is a great choice for donors who prioritize financial flexibility, haven’t yet finalized their estate plans, or don’t have the immediate means to make a significant donation to a cause they love.
For nonprofits like Central Asia Institute that partner with every.org, you can donate cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin or Ethereum, to avoid capital gains tax on the appreciated value, which means your donation and your tax savings go further.
And every.org makes the donation incredibly easy. You don’t need to worry about the technical side of crypto transactions or the tax paperwork. Simply choose your favorite verified nonprofit (like Central Asia Institute!) and donate in just a few clicks. Every.org automatically converts the crypto to U.S. dollars and grants the funds to the organization, ensuring both transparency and compliance.
Each of these strategies offers a unique way to potentially lower your taxes while making a lasting impact that aligns with your financial goals, personal priorities, and philanthropic vision. What they all have in common is the ability to turn ordinary financial tools into extraordinary acts of purpose. No matter what stage of life you’re in, you have the power to drive lasting change.
Now is the time to take that first step. Create a meaningful legacy by impacting the world now and in the future. Speak with your financial advisor or contact our team to explore how a life insurance or crypto gift can align with your financial and philanthropic goals.
Why her empowerment benefits everyone.
By Alice Thomas
Central Asia Institute’s mission has long been to promote education as a pathway to opportunity. Since our founding nearly 30 years ago, we have provided countless males and females with education, job skills, and the agency to live a better life.
While all children in the remote regions of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan that we serve face barriers to learning, girls are particularly disadvantaged. Even when enrolled in school, girls are far more likely than boys to drop out due to poverty, early marriage, safety concerns, or deeply rooted social norms that prioritize boys’ education and confine girls to domestic roles. That’s why our education programs have a special focus not just on matriculation for girls, but also on ensuring they stay in class, thrive, and succeed—helping to level the playing field for those who face the steepest uphill climb.
At its core, CAI’s mission is about creating equal access to education for all children. Most of our beneficiaries are girls—upwards of 60%—because they have unequal access to education in the communities we serve. This focus on females has an added benefit that stems from the transformative power of girls’ education to catalyze far wider positive change.
When a girl is educated, the impact goes far beyond the walls of a classroom or the pages of a textbook. Educating a girl creates a powerful ripple effect that touches families, communities, economies, and future generations. It’s not just an investment in one life—it’s a multiplier of opportunity and progress for society at large.
The benefits of girls’ education ripple out into the broader community. When more girls go to school, communities become safer, more equitable, and more prosperous. Literacy and numeracy improve public health outcomes and contribute to lower crime rates. Educated women are more likely to participate in civic life and leadership, helping shape policies that reflect the needs of entire populations—not just the privileged few.
What’s more, educated girls from rural and marginalized areas often return home to give back to their communities by becoming teachers, nurses, and even entrepreneurs. They serve as role models and disrupt cycles of poverty and discrimination that may have persisted for generations.
On a macroeconomic level, educating girls boosts GDP and strengthens economies. Closing gender gaps in education could generate an additional $112 to $152 billion in global GDP annually4. Countries with higher levels of female education tend to enjoy greater political stability, better health outcomes, and a faster path to financial prosperity.
Educated girls also help address global challenges like population growth and climate change, because girls who stay in school are more likely to have fewer children, later in life, which improves maternal and child health and allows communities to better manage limited resources. Project Drawdown ranks educating girls among the top 10 solutions to climate change because of its significance as a catalyst to action5.
By Seelai Karzai
For many years, Central Asia Institute has supported early childhood education across remote, mountainous communities of Tajikistan, particularly in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO) region. This support includes building preschools, renovating classrooms for safety and optimal learning, and training preschool teachers.
Central Asia Institute is currently in the process of renovating two schools in Tajikistan, in order to provide safe and healthy classrooms for preschoolers. Mahbuba Qurbonalieva, country director of Central Asia Institute-Tajikistan (CAIT), gave us an update about the ongoing and planned restoration of School #7 and School #8.
CAIT also recently received formal approval from CAI to begin the renovation project for School #8. Though work has not yet begun, anticipation is building for the multi-year construction project.
And, thanks to the generous support of so many donors, Preschool #2 is flourishing, serving more than 120 children. Mahbuba proudly tells us, “The facility continues to play a vital role in providing early childhood education in the community.” In August, the school will shut down briefly for a scheduled summer break, and in September, students turning six years old will transition to primary school, creating space for a new group of eager students. As we look to the future, Central Asia Institute remains committed to the critical work of fostering the development of young children across the GBAO region in Tajikistan.
1 https://developingchild.harvard.edu/key-concept/brain-architecture/
2 https://jenni.uchicago.edu/papers/Heckman_Masterov_RAE_2007_v29_n3.pdf
3 https://the.akdn/en/where-we-work/central-asia/tajikistan/early-childhood-development-tajikistan
By Natalie Meyer*
Founded in 2018 with the mission of “empowering Afghan youth through accessible education, skill development, and opportunities that promote lifelong learning,” Shining Star works across five Afghan provinces, reaching even the most remote pockets of the country. Led by a dedicated team of 350 local staff and teachers serving beneficiaries who are 80% female, Shining Star is creating significant educational opportunities. But their work is not without obstacles.
“Right now, Community Based Education (CBE) is under threat,” explained Pardes Wayand, Shining Star’s Program Manager. “We already can’t send girls [to school] past sixth grade, and now the Taliban is talking about shutting down these programs, too.” Still, their classrooms remain full. “The families want education,” he said. In one remote village comprised of fewer than 15 families, the village elder climbs up to his rooftop every morning to call the children to school, showing his dedication to their studies. Currently, Shining Star supports 2,884 students through CBE classes, as well as young learners aged four to six through their Early Childhood Development classes. “The Taliban doesn’t pay much attention to the early years,” noted Pardes. “That gives us room to start them on a path of learning.”
In partnership with CAI, Shining Star is also implementing a Women’s Economic Empowerment Program to equip women in rural areas with skills to run small businesses like dairy processing and mushroom cultivation. The organization supplements training with grants and other resources that participants need to start their businesses and earn income. These programs don’t just help them survive and support their families; they empower women to be leaders and add value to their local economies.
Collectively, these programs are transforming lives, but according to Pardes, their future is tenuous: “We are very thankful to the American people for their support over 20 years…but now, with USAID gone and many organizations leaving the country, support is declining, and our work is at risk.”
Najiba, a 24-year-old from Kunar Province, now serves as a CBE teacher through Shining Star, but her journey is one that reflects both loss and resilience.
Najiba was a top university student focused on business administration until her academic career was abruptly cut short by the Taliban restrictions. “From an early age, I have had a deep love for teaching,” she shares. When her village council announced that Shining Star would be establishing a CBE class, she immediately applied and was selected to lead a classroom in Gorgam. “That was one of the most memorable days of my life,” she said, grateful for the opportunity to serve her community and help students thrive.
The resilience of the Afghan people, especially girls, is what keeps these programs going. Despite many obstacles, Shining Star continues to work forward, and our partnership is a powerful example of how international organizations can support community-driven change on a local level, as we work together to set program goals, align priorities, and adapt projects in real-time. At the core of this collaboration is a shared belief in equity, dignity, and education as basic human rights.
At a time when the Taliban appears intent on erasing Afghan women and girls from society, the work of organizations like Shining Star is more critical than ever. CAI is proud to stand with them and grateful for the support of our donors who help keep the light of education shining bright through the darkness.
* Natalie interned for CAI during the summer of 2025 while an undergraduate student at Princeton University.
1 https://hummedia.manchester.ac.uk/institutes/gdi/publications/workingpapers/bwpi/bwpi-wp-17112.pdf
By Rida
The barriers also fuel economic marginalization. In rural areas, only 9% of women report earning income. In cities, that figure is 17%, still far behind their male counterparts. In 2024, only 24.2% of women were in the workforce compared to 88.9% of men3. Moreover, new “virtue” laws ban women from traveling without a male guardian, mandate full face coverings, and prohibit them even from speaking in public4, essentially creating a culture of gender apartheid.
Despite this erasure, Afghan girls continue to show up: still learning, still teaching, still dreaming. And CAI is walking beside them every step of the way. As of mid-2025, CAI supports 171 community-based education (CBE) classes across multiple provinces, reaching over 5,000 students, many of whom have no other access to school. More than 280 trained female teachers are leading these classes in homes, mosques, and communal village spaces, bringing learning directly into the communities. Beyond primary education, over 170 Afghan women have received economic empowerment training in skills like mushroom cultivation, dairy farming, and jam-making, pathways that will allow them to earn income and thereby contribute financially to their households.
Until recently, school was a place that only 12-year-old Nazanin’s brothers knew because the closest government facility was far away and the terrain was too harsh for young children to travel on foot. “For little girls like me, it was impossible to walk to school,” she shared. Now, thanks to the opening of a CAI-sponsored community-based classroom in her village, which she attends regularly, she dreams of one day becoming a lawyer. “With school opening, my hope is coming true,” she told her teacher one morning.
Then there is Nasima, who dropped out of school when she began losing her eyesight. She cried, not due to her condition, but because she was missing out on the opportunity to learn. One year later, she’s back in class, thanks to CAI support. “The community school has given me another chance,” she said.
In Afghanistan, girls like Nazanin and Nasima are told they don’t belong in school. The fear, the heartache, the restrictions feel inhumane, but the silence around them is worse. Still, they choose courage. They reach, instinctively and relentlessly, for a return to normalcy, to learning, to opportunity, to dreams of the future. For many, education up to grade six is not a limit but a lifeline. Their fight is not just for themselves, but for a shared liberation. Afghanistan is not a lost cause; it’s a call to stand on the right side of history.
If we stop caring and acting, we unwittingly help the oppressors win. But if those young girls, stripped of all freedoms, can hold onto hope, then what excuse do we have to not be part of the resistance?
At CAI, our mission and vision are built upon decades of community-centered, community-informed work and trust-building. In a time when formal government systems have collapsed for Afghan girls, sustainability means something different. It means a continued, steady, dedicated presence. It means adapting our programs, again and again, to keep education alive.
We’ve reimagined classrooms, leaned on the local expertise of our Afghan partners, and found ways to protect learning spaces with the advent of every new restriction. We listen closely to teachers, families, and students and we make the choice to stay and help, even when so many other organizations have left, to show Afghan women that they are not forgotten. Not by us. Not by you. Not by anyone who believes in justice and the transformative power of education.
By Bella Pich
But change is possible, even starting with just one bathroom and one trusted educator. In a remote, mountainous region in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, that change is already underway. For almost 30 years, Central Asia Institute has been committed to advancing education in this northern region, building schools and working with our local partner, Moawin Foundation, to support women in learning skills and earning income. Today, that mission continues with a growing focus on girls’ empowerment and safety through the introduction of gender-segregated washrooms and menstrual hygiene training.
Together with Moawin Foundation, CAI has supported the construction of gender-segregated bathrooms in 41 community schools across six areas of Gilgit-Baltistan. The new washrooms provide a safe, private, and respectful environment, making it easier for girls to manage their periods and attend school without fear or shame.
Recognizing that infrastructure alone isn’t enough, CAI and Moawin Foundation also launched menstrual hygiene education sessions, which aim to help girls, their mothers, and teachers better understand and manage both their own and their daughters’ reproductive health with knowledge, confidence, and care. Led by women, the sessions demonstrate best practices in hygiene and sanitation while creating judgment-free spaces to learn and ask questions.
Participants are also provided with personal wellness items including soap, towels, sanitary pads and tampons, feminine wipes, and more. Since launching in 2023, the classes have been attended by a total of 613 women and girls, building awareness, self-assurance, and open dialogue around menstrual health.
“I am proudly leading the Health and Safety classes, and it’s been inspiring to witness a positive shift in attitudes toward menstrual hygiene. Teachers are now more open, informed, and better equipped to support young girls in their schools,” shares Naila, Program Manager for Moawin Foundation’s Baltistan team.
The progress seen in Pakistan is a powerful example of how targeted, community-led efforts can break long-standing taboos and create substantive change. This transformation isn’t just a result of infrastructure or education—it’s a direct reflection of the impact made possible by compassionate supporters like YOU. Thanks to the generosity of so many donors, hundreds of girls now have the opportunity to stay in school and pursue their dreams. When we invest in a girl’s health, we invest in her future, and in the future of her entire community.
By Alice Thomas, Executive Director, CAI
This August, I traveled to Tajikistan, where Central Asia Institute has been supporting access to quality education and women’s economic empowerment since 2012.
When I arrived, I made the long journey—12 hours by car through winding mountain roads—from Dushanbe, the country’s capital, to the remote Gorno-Badakhshan region. Situated in the Pamir Mountains, Gorno-Badakhshan is home to the offices of Central Asia Institute-Tajikistan (CAI-T), our local partner. Together with CAI-T’s Director, Mahbuba Quorbonalieva, I visited several schools that are currently under renovation with CAI’s support, as well as several schools CAI completed over the last few years. I also met with women who are participating in our entrepreneurship training, now in its third year. These women shared their stories of transforming their skills and ideas into small businesses that are now thriving.
I always find these trips enormously gratifying and inspiring. They allow me to see first-hand the very real and meaningful impact CAI is having on the people of this remote and marginalized part of the world. I’m struck by how deeply our communities value the opportunity to learn, and to take control of and better their lives. And I’m always moved by the sincerity of their gratitude to CAI for supporting and investing in them.
“I feel so happy, lucky, and grateful. I am fulfilling a dream since my childhood.”
As Muqaddas, a scholarship recipient who is studying to be a lab technician, said to me, “I feel so happy, lucky, and grateful. I am fulfilling a dream since my childhood.” Gushing with thanks—and several hugs—she told me, “I’m so grateful that this organization [CAI-T] exists to support me, and other young women of Gorno-Badakhshan like me, who can’t afford their education. Now our futures are bright.”
For all of you who make this possible, I wish I could have taken you with me! But I hope these photos will help bring to life why this work is so needed and what it means to the people whose lives you’re touching.
Driving along the Panj River, looking across to the mountains of Afghanistan.
Across the Panj River, a view of Tajikistan’s mountains overlooking Afghanistan.
Tajikistan’s semi-autonomous Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast is situated among the towering Pamir Mountains. Among the world’s tallest mountains, the Pamirs rest at a junction with other formidable ranges, the Tian Shan, Karakoram, Kunlun, Hindu Kush, and Himalaya, together nicknamed the Roof of the World. Yet, the breath-taking and dramatic beauty of Gorno-Badakhshan goes hand-in-hand with its inaccessibility and underdevelopment, which in turn, contribute to the marginalization and poverty of its people. Indeed, just 3% of the population of Tajikistan carves out a life here.
The Republic of Tajikistan is the second poorest country in the Central-South Asian region, after Afghanistan. Since declaring independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, its economy has struggled. The country has made few investments in infrastructure, especially in Gorno-Badakhshan. This is evident in the dilapidated state of the region’s schools, many of which were built before 1990 and haven’t been renovated since. To address this and create safe, healthy, learning environments for the children of Gorno-Badakhshan to thrive, CAI-T renovates and rebuilds the worst of these schools.
In Rushan District, we visited School #8 in the village of Derazud. Constructed in 1985, the school’s three buildings have not undergone any major repairs since then. The furniture also dates to the 1980s. The 350+ students who attend the school share pit toilets with four holes each for boys and girls. These toilets pose a significant health and hygiene risk.
At present, CAI-T is undertaking repairs to more than 100 windows and doors within these buildings. This is to ensure basic weatherproofing. We are planning additional renovations for the next few years, which will include the exterior and interior walls and new toilets.
Next, we visited School #7 in Sokhcharv village in Shugnan District. Here, I’m thrilled to see our ongoing renovations are close to completion. These renovations include new floors, ceilings, walls, windows, and doors. The newly renovated school will open its doors to students on September 1st, just a few weeks after my visit. There will also be a new indoor toilet and washroom reserved for the preschool students, along with a new set of outdoor latrines for the other 180 students who attend the school from Grades 1 to 11.
Before I leave, the Governor of Gorno-Badakhshan has asked me to visit one more school in desperate need of repair. Mahbuba and I make time in our schedule to visit the village of Darvoz. Built of timber and plaster in 1980, the school’s walls are crumbling. Mahbuba and I are shocked and depressed by what we see. We leave determined to raise funds in the coming year to renovate this school.
Inside look of a classroom in the Darvoz District in Gorno-Badakhshan, Tajikistan.
Inside look of a classroom in the Darvoz District in Gorno-Badakhshan, Tajikistan.
Meeting with women from Gorno-Badakhshan who are participating in CAI’s women’s entrepreneurship program was a highlight of my visit.
Before attending the program, Nagina, 47 years old and divorced, lived at home with her three sons, one of whom is disabled. Nagina baked and sold bread from time to time to make income. In the summer of 2024, she attended a CAI-T training, at which she learned the basics of entrepreneurship, including how to prepare a business plan, calculate her income, and save money by buying ingredients in bulk. Slowly putting what she learned into practice, she then took advantage of an additional CAI-T vocational training program focused on baked goods and food preparation. As her sales slowly increased, she added new equipment, including a new oven and a dough mixer.
The day I visited, she was busy baking muffins and pirozhki (deep-fried dough buns filled with potato). Nagina told me how the skills and practices she developed through the CAI-T program, and her investments back into her business, have resulted in six times the earnings she was making before. When I asked her how she’s using her augmented income, she told me she has been able to pay for children’s school tuition, and to buy a wheelchair and make modifications to her home to accommodate her disabled son. “I feel proud of myself,” she shares. “I’m able to be independent and take care of my children.”
A 45-minute drive from Khorog, we visit Takhmina’s small bakery. Takhmina has attended three CAI-T business trainings since 2019. Over that time, she has transformed a home oven into a busy bakery business with two employees. Takhmina’s specialty is flatbread, which she cooks in the traditional manner inside the walls of a clay oven.
Takhmina tells me what she learned in the CAI-T business training: how to calculate her income, save, and reinvest proceeds back into her fledging business. She also learned how to take out a business loan to purchase new equipment, including a dough mixer and refrigerator. Now she is thinking of expanding into a larger space. “Whenever people go places, they want to bring my bread with them. I consider myself a role model for this community. Even my cousin who came from Russia brought my bread back with her to show people what I’ve done.”
“I had an idea and the skills. The [CAI-T] training showed me how to start.”
Back in the bustling town of Khorog, Mahbuba finds the sign for “Beauty Salon,” where she takes me to meet Rajasultan. Originally from Gorno Badakshan, Rajasultan emigrated to Russia as a young woman to find work opportunities. There, she earned a beautician certificate and got a job working in a salon doing eyelash extensions. In 2023, her visa was not renewed, and she was forced to move back to Gorno-Badakshan. Unable to find work, she got by doing odd babysitting jobs.
In 2024, all of this changed when she attended a CAI-T training. Rajasultan learned how to start her own business. With some initial support from her sister, she put her knowledge to use and rented a small space inside a nail salon in Khorog. “I had an idea and the skills. The [CAI-T] training showed me how to start,” she explains. “Then [CAI-T]-provided me with some additional equipment including a stool, an antibacterial lamp, and a lounge chair for my clients to relax in while getting their eyelashes done. Now I’m the only eyelash salon that has such a comfortable chair!” She beams. “Next, I want to use my extra income to buy a TV to show music videos and a coffee machine.” Not only is Rajasultan making good money and economically independent, she is also able to support her family. She no longer wants to return to Moscow. When she finds a bigger space, she plans to teach women with disabilities how to do eyelashes for free.
A short drive outside of Khorog along the Panj River we visit the home of 47-year-old Nozbibi, who lives with her husband and two daughters on a small plot of picturesque land with fruit trees, several cows, and chickens. Nozbibi tells me that to make extra income for her family she used to knit socks to sell to the tourists who frequent Gorno-Badakshan in the summer months. But with limited demand and lots of competition, it wasn’t lucrative.
“Then I went to the CAI-T training and learned that if you start a business and it’s not successful, you can always start another business.”
During the winter months, Nozbibi noted how difficult it was to find fresh vegetables in the market. “I heard about an opportunity to invest in a greenhouse as part of a program supported by USAID [the U.S. Agency for International Development]. My family came up with 40,000 somonis [approximately $4,220] and USAID paid the other 60,000 somonis. I then used the business knowledge I learned in the [CAI-T] training.” Last November, she harvested her first crop, which was very successful. “The training also taught me how to advertise my vegetables as coming from this area, which is known for its good soil, and that I use only natural fertilizers, which people prefer.” She proudly shares, “I increased my income by 50% in one year. Now I’m experimenting with peppers!”
It’s been three years this week since the United States pulled out of Afghanistan, allowing the Taliban to retake control of the country and clamp down on women’s rights.
Since then, women who were government officials, judges, lawyers, and business leaders have been removed from any role in society. Female athletes are banned from sports. Girls’ education beyond Grade 6 is forbidden. Women who speak out are threatened, thrown into prison, and even tortured or worse.
But while the war may have ended, the battle is not over. Each day brave women and girls – and their families – are fighting back.
This fight has been made more public in recent weeks as the 2024 Summer Olympics took place in Paris, France. Three female athletes represented Afghanistan in the Paris Games — sisters Fariba and Yulduz Hashimi, two cyclists who live in exile in Italy; and Kamia Yousufi, a sprinter who lives in exile in Australia. These three women made up a six-person team (three men who live in exile also competed) under the former Afghanistan flag. Taliban officials and the Taliban flag are banned from the Olympics because of human rights violations.
Some have argued that these Olympians should have competed on the Refugee Olympic Team and that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) should have barred them from representing Afghanistan to make a statement against the Taliban’s atrocities against women.
One person making this argument is Friba Rezayee, a female Afghan who competed in the 2004 Olympic Games. On July 17, 2024 she wrote an op-ed in the New York Times stating, “The IOC’s decision to allow a team from Afghanistan to compete is an act of recognition – although perhaps unintentional – of a regime that punishes women for participating in sports.” She goes on to talk about how none of the three women competing in the 2024 Olympic Games lives and trains in Afghanistan nor can they visit without risking their lives.
However, in a Rolling Stone article published on August 2, 2024, former Afghan Olympic athlete and IOC member, Samira Asghari, argues in favor of letting the athletes compete under the former Afghanistan flag. She says that millions of Afghans still love the old flag and that for some, it represents freedom. “We can show the Taliban that if you do not allow women to represent themselves, to show the world that they exist and that they have passion for sport, we have that platform,” she writes. “The IOC can show women that we support you and your rights as athletes.”
Central Asia Institute has been working to advance education in Afghanistan, especially for girls and women, for over two decades and we continue to work there today. While we have been forced to curtail some of our programs due to the Taliban’s restrictions, we provide education to over 5,500 girls. We see the battle for girls’ education and women’s rights play out every day in the communities we serve. Afterall, educating an Afghan girl – or boy – is one of the most effective ways to fight back against the Taliban.
While they didn’t win gold, CAI would like to honor the brave women who competed in the 2024 Olympic Games. We are inspired by their commitment to their country’s freedom, and their courage to compete on behalf of a nation of women living in the dark shadow of the Taliban.
If you want to support CAI and our work in Afghanistan, please consider donating today. Every dollar goes to help girls get access to education, and to support female teachers who believe in the power of education to change the world.
Each summer, Central Asia Institute welcomes students from around the country – and the world – to work as summer interns. Our internship program not only affords students the opportunity to work alongside our team and gain firsthand experience in international development and non-profit management. It also provides CAI with valuable input and support from extremely talented and accomplished young people who represent the next generation of leaders and change makers. This summer, we’re thrilled to have several very special interns joining us from Afghanistan and Pakistan who are studying at U.S. universities.
CAI’s Executive Director, Alice Thomas, recently sat down with one of our interns, Rida, to learn more about her and what drew her to CAI’s mission of advancing education, especially for girls.
Q: Tell us more about yourself and where you’re from.
A: I’m Rida, originally from Quetta, in Pakistan. I grew up as the eldest among my two younger siblings and was raised by a single mother. As a first-generation student, I’m humbled by the opportunity to break barriers and forge a path for my family. My upbringing in Quetta has instilled in me a deep sense of humility and community, guiding my journey as I strive to make a difference.
Quetta is located in southwestern Pakistan and is situated near the border with Afghanistan. Growing up there, I was surrounded by beautiful mountains and a rich culture. Quetta’s culture is made of different traditions, languages, and customs, all because of its diverse population and long history. The people of Quetta are renowned for their warmth and hospitality. Unfortunately, the city has faced security challenges due to its proximity to conflict zones and geopolitical tensions.
Q: What brought you to the United States?
A: I’m here in the United States on a Fulbright Scholarship, pursuing a Master’s degree in International Development Studies at Ohio University. My focus is on the intersection of gender and development, exploring how global politics and collaborative efforts can effectively address pressing issues for sustainable development. Additionally, I’m passionate about leveraging technology for social impact and how we can use it to bridge the gap between global policies and grassroots initiatives to ensure that development efforts are inclusive and impactful.
I came to the United States initially as a cultural exchange ambassador at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in 2018. During my semester there, I found the experience incredibly enriching and realized that I wanted to pursue further education in the U.S. That’s what led me to return.
Q: As a woman from a culturally conservative part of Pakistan, tell us what it means to you to get an education?
A: Education has been a transformative force in my life. Throughout my life, I have studied on scholarships that have granted me access to education in a society where opportunities for women are often limited. Education has served as the key to unlocking incredible academic and professional opportunities. These opportunities have enabled me to come to the United States all the way from Quetta, Pakistan to pursue my passions. It’s through education that I’ve gained the personal freedoms to shape my own future.
In Balochistan, where UNICEF reports a shocking 78 percent of girls are out of school, the urgency to address this issue is undeniable. This is why my internship at the Central Asia Institute resonates so deeply with me; it offers a direct avenue to confront this pressing challenge head-on. Drawing from my own journey and the lasting impact education has had on me, I am excited about the opportunity to utilize my skills and passion to contribute to efforts aimed at removing obstacles to education, especially those hindering girls’ access and empowerment.
Q: What are some of the challenges girls in Pakistan face that Americans might not be aware of?
A: Well, while Americans may be familiar with some of the hurdles girls face, such as systemic lack of resources and limited educational opportunities, especially in rural areas, there are additional complexities that deserve attention. Let me share a memory from my school days that sheds light on the challenges faced by girls in Pakistan. I had a best friend, someone I’d known since the first grade. She was a remarkable girl with big dreams. I remember her vividly, always talking about Benazir Bhutto and how she aspired to be a leader like her one day. But then, in 8th grade, she told me she wouldn’t be coming to school anymore because her family had arranged her marriage. It broke my heart, not only because I was losing my friend, but also to witness her aspirations being taken away at such a young age. Here was this bright, intelligent girl with big dreams, suddenly being forced into a life she didn’t choose.
And that’s not the only story that stays with me. I had another friend, someone who was practically a member of our family. He had a daughter, just three years old a couple of years ago. He used to talk to me about wanting to give her the same opportunities I had – a chance to study, to learn, to grow. But his hopes were dashed by the oppressive values that still prevail in our society. His family and extended relatives ridiculed at the idea of sending a girl to school, labeling it as dishonorable. Despite his best intentions, he was caught between his desire to give his daughter a better future and the weight of societal expectations.
These stories are all too common in Pakistan. They show the hurdles girls face in pursuing their education and realizing their potential. But they also fuel my determination to advocate for change and work towards a future where every girl has the opportunity to achieve their dreams.
Q: What do you like most about the United States? What do you miss most about Pakistan?
A: One of the things I appreciate most about the United States is its diversity and inclusivity. Being able to interact with people from different backgrounds and cultures has broadened my perspective and enriched my overall experience. Additionally, what I like about the United States is the vast array of opportunities it provides. Here, I’ve always felt that my voice is heard and that I have the chance to pursue opportunities based on my efforts.
Nonetheless, I do find myself missing the warmth of my homeland, as well as the strong connection to my roots and the family ties that are deeply ingrained in the culture. There’s a warmth and closeness in relationships back home that I sometimes find myself longing for. And of course, I miss the delicious Pakistani cuisine!