In the remote, mountainous regions where we work, reaching school can be one of the greatest everyday challenges a child faces. Harsh winters, long distances, and crumbling infrastructure often make education feel out of reach.
In Tajikistan’s Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, most schools were built 70 to 80 years ago with wood meant to last only 25 years. Today, their walls are rotting and ceilings sag and leak. In Afghanistan, decades of conflict have destroyed or damaged many schools, leaving far too few to meet the needs of a growing population. And across Pakistan’s mountain valleys, many children live do not have a school within walking distance. For girls in particular, the distance and lack of safety—no boundary walls, no separate washrooms—often mean the end of their education before it can begin.
CAI partners with local communities to change this reality. Together, we establish and support community-based schools that are safe, secure, and designed for learning. These schools are located in the heart of villages, managed by local committees, and tailored to the needs of each community. Where government schools exist but are overcrowded, dilapidated, or unsafe, CAI helps renovate classrooms and improve facilities.
We also work to create vibrant, high-quality learning environments by equipping schools with libraries, computer and science labs, furniture, and e-learning systems.
