Light in Mountains

A Light in the Mountains: How Education is Reaching the Unreached

High in the remote mountains of Central Asia, where winding paths cut through meadows and sheep graze beneath a vast sky, something extraordinary is happening.

For generations, these semi-nomadic communities followed the rhythm of the seasons—migrating with their flocks in the spring and summer, returning to their villages before the snow. With few services available and deep-rooted traditions shaping daily life, education—especially for girls and women—was not a priority.

But now, a quiet transformation is underway.

Tent Schools Among the Peaks

In the warmer months, over 70 children gather in four large tents pitched among the high pastures. Inside, voices rise as children practice reading, writing, and simple math problems echo across the fields—lessons led by a dedicated village teacher.

These mobile tent schools have changed everything.

For the first time in the history of these communities, children’s education continues even while their families migrate. In September, when the flocks and families return to the villages, the children walk back into their classrooms with confidence and continuity.

One local teacher shared:

“There were only a few children at the school when I first started. At that time, it was against our customs to send girls to school. Then your team came. Because of them, we began to gather the girls. I chose to send my daughter to school because… it’s education! Education is light. If she was at home, she would be living in darkness. Who wouldn’t go toward the light?”

A New Chapter for Women

That same light is now reaching a new generation—young women who once believed school was out of reach.

In the spring of 2023, during a season of disaster relief, our team met with local leaders in a nearby village. They had heard of our work supporting rural schools and women’s vocational training and expressed a desire to bring the same opportunities to their people.

Just one year later, in April 2024, 25 young women—many in their late teens and early twenties—gathered in a local home to begin a five-month Adult Literacy Program. Twice a week, they practiced the alphabet, learned to read, and tackled basic math. In September, every single one of them graduated.

When asked about their experience, the most common response was simple:
“We want to keep learning.”

Looking Ahead

In 2025, a new 12-month mobile vocational training program will launch in the same village, and there's already a waitlist.

What began with a few children under canvas tents and 25 determined young women has grown into a movement. Education is no longer just a dream—it’s becoming a way of life. And in these high mountain communities, where tradition once held girls back, the light of learning is breaking through.