For nearly 30 years, Central Asia Institute has championed education in some of the most hard-to-reach and underserved regions of the world. In the mountains of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan, generations of children—especially girls—have grown up without access to safe schools, trained teachers, or even the basic belief that education is possible. CAI exists to change that.
CAI’s programs create lasting change by supporting every stage of education. We invest in students and teachers, improve school infrastructure, and expand career opportunities. We go where others will not: high in the mountains, across insecure borders, and deep into marginalized communities. We know that this is where the need is greatest.
Our vision is a world where every person, regardless of gender, age, income, or origin, has access to education and the opportunity to realize their full potential.
We remove barriers to education by providing students with books, school supplies, and learning materials; providing girls with gender-segregated toilets; and awarding scholarships to promising students to continue their education.
A great teacher can change the course of a child’s life. Yet many communities face a severe shortage of trained educators. CAI supports teachers with professional development, mentoring, and salaries to help them succeed and inspire.
Where we work, distance, weather, and crumbling infrastructure often keep children from school. CAI partners with local communities to create and support classrooms, renovate unsafe facilities, and outfit schools to make learning possible.
Women work tirelessly, yet many are unpaid or excluded from the formal economy in the regions where we work. CAI’s business training programs equip women with the skills and confidence to earn an income and determine their futures on their own terms.
