Journey of Hope Fall 2015 | Page 26

3 W Recently Janagha Jaheed, manager of CAI partner organization Marcopolo Social Services and Reconstruction Organization Trust and relationships are key aspects in doing business anywhere, but they especially are important in Central Asian cultures. (MSSRO), did just that. Placing himself in harm’s way, Janagha delivered supplies and ensured the safety of staff in Badakhshan, Afghanistan as the Taliban moved in and took control of the region. Thirty hours, three flights, and a threeday drive on rough roads stood between CAI-US staff and those projects. Even if we hopped on a plane as news broke that militants were heading that direction, we never would have made it in time to help. We were grateful for Janagha’s quick action. MSSRO is just one of many organizations that CAI partners with to provide services overseas. Like MSSRO, Star of Knowledge, Central Asia Institute-Afghanistan, Central Asia Educational Trust, Central Asia Institute-Gilgit, and Central Asia InstituteTajikistan, all deliver customized, proportionate programs and resources to the people who need them most. Today, our small but growing international workforce of dedicated partners are identifying and distributing improved teaching tools and more flexible and adaptive early childhood development, literacy, education, and vocational training programs. These tools and programs help CAI deliver hand-tailored solutions to local communities based on the residents telling us what they need. And it is all about building relationships. Staff in the U.S. can’t simply send an email to village elders whenever we need to coordinate on a project. Few elders in these far-flung villages are literate, and even fewer have computers or Internet access. Thus we have to build relationships in person. In tribal societies, community meetings I HAVE BEEN IN THEIR SHOES I am a CAI beneficiary, but in a different sense. Working as women’s development director at CAIGilgit has been a source of personal fulfillment for me, and a means for me to help my people and community. Like most girls from my village, I was married after high school at the age of 17. At that time I moved to my husband’s village. It was very remote, approachable only by a rutted jeep track. There was only one teacher at the village’s only school. When he went away for training, the village elders insisted that I take his place. I volunteered at the school from noon until 4 p.m. most days, and taught whatever little I knew. I never had taught before and my capacity and capabilities were much the 24 | JOURNEY OF HOPE typically are called for decision-making purposes. In Pakistan these community-based committees are known as tanzeem; in Afghanistan the meetings are referred to as jirgas. If an important business matter needs to be discussed — such as the building of a school — everyone gathers together, and the issue is decided. Trust and relationships are key aspects in doing business anywhere, but they especially are important in Central Asian cultures. A friendly face goes a long way in situations such as this. Empowerin