Journey of Hope 2016 | Page 15

with medicine and some basic instruments to begin her work as a healthcare provider . Before she left Charpurson , however , Gulnar had discussed her future with CAI- Gilgit Director Saidullah Baig . Baig agreed that he would do his best for her and her husband to help them both continue their educations if that is what they wanted .
Gulnar poses with her students .
“ He fulfilled his promise and took us both to Boni , Chitral and both of us started our education ,” Gulnar explained happily . “ In 2011 , I completed my matriculation ( grade 10 ). Just after my matriculation he took me to Gilgit for 2-year midwifery training . I completed this training and started my health worker career as a CAI midwife for all Broghil since 2015 .”
But Baig had made another promise , this time to the people of Broghil . He promised them a school for their young children . In 2015 , CAI-Gilgit established an early childhood development school in Garhill , but they were having difficulty finding a qualified teacher . So few people in the region were educated .
Yet , when Gulnar returned to the area Baig knew that she was well educated and reliable . Gulnar seemed like a natural choice . He asked for her help and she agreed . Baig promptly sent her to a CAI-sponsored teacher-training course to get her ready for her new job .
Gulnar has been working with the young children ever since and continues her duties as a midwife . The impact of this one educated woman is huge — as the only healthcare provider in the region she serves four small villages , with around 200 people total , and has a class of 30 young students at the school .
In villages like Garhill , where most men work as shepherds , men and boys are often more valued than girls becaues girls do not protect the family livelihood .
“ When a boy born in a family all the villagers come and share their happiness to the family and the family become proud for having a man to protect their future . But if there is a girl born in a family nobody wishes the family good ,” explains Gulnar .
But since Gulnar returned home , the proud graduate of 10th grade and midwife training , and a certified teacher , she feels like things might be different in the future .
She hopes that other families will take note of her accomplishments and that attitudes about the value of girls and girls ’ education will change . She knows that change takes a long time , but with every student she works with and every patient she treats she sees another opportunity to get the message out .
“ So many thanks to CAI ,” Gulnar wrote in a message . “ You educate a girl , and she will change the world !” •
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