CAI's philosophy is to empower the local people through their own initiative. As of 2008, Central Asia Institute has successfully established 130 schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan, which provide (or have provided) education to over 51,000 students, with an emphasis on girls' education. Over the first decade of CAI's evolution, their programs and projects expanded to several regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan with an emphasis on education, health issues, environment and cultural preservation.

Greg Mortenson, founder and executive director of CAI, is author of Three Cups of Tea and Stones into Schools.

To find out more about the Central Asia Institute, please visit their web site, www.ikat.org.