Central Asia Institute

I started supporting CAI after a Quaker relative told me about Three Cups of Tea, and I read that. I've attended couple of their DC events, including one featuring an Army officer who had worked with them in Afghanistan, and continue to believe in their focus on education, especially girls' education, in remote places where that makes the most difference, and is among the most difficult to negotiate and manage. And I do mean focus - it seems to me CAI has done a good job resisting mission creep. They have a niche that is not being met by others.

I wish far more of US dollars in Afghanistan and surrounding regions had gone to such efforts. Perhaps that's impossible, as such outreach requires personal connections building up trust and letting local people lead.

I have been supporting CAI's efforts for the past 12 or so years now. And I can say I am very pleased with the successes of the children we have helped, especially the girls. This is by far one of the best non for profit organizations that I've ever been a part of and I will continue to support their causes.
Really look forward to the quarterly updates of the lives changed and the communities we help to build, in spite of the challenges CAI has faced since inception ( Taliban) .
If you can support one cause, let it be this one.
Communities and generations have benefited, Grown and significantly improved because of our support!

Happy supporter,
Fazia Khan

It was a little over a year ago that I read the book, "Three Cups of Tea". Oh what a vision that Greg Mortenson created. The concept of influencing future generations (and perhaps bringing peace to the region) by educating young people in the hinterlands of these countries, especially girls, to change society was/is brilliant. CAI is doing a fabulous job in teaching children, training teachers, building and repairing schools, providing teaching materials, and showing women how they can provide for the financial well being for themselves and their families. I believe that CAI, on any level, deserves to be applauded for their vision and work. I will continue to support them.

The reason I donate to CAI is that I am a huge believer in the rights of children especially girls to get the best education possible.
I just retired from a 40 year career in Mortgage Banking and I have chosen a new part time job substitute teaching. The early years are so important in a child’s development. The earlier you can reach a child and inspire them the better.
This organization is founded on beliefs that I hold close and practice myself. In addition, this organization has great leadership. I am a monthly donor now that I am retired.

Incredibly dedicated team; the organization punches above it’s weight in terms of impact.
CAI works to educate girls and women in remote areas that are hard to reach, which is so important.
I donate to the organization’s schools in Afghanistan. When so many others have turned their backs on Afghan girls (and boys), I’m grateful that CAI has stayed committed.

I think the work that the Central Asia Institute does is extremely important. And more important than ever considering some of the things happening around the world and even in our own country. Thank you for the continued great work!

CAI does a wonderful job showing donors where and how their gifts are being used. I feel like I can see the impact of how my donations are changing lives in Central Asia. I am proud to support education for women and girls, and I am thankful to CAI for making positive change possible. If you are interested in supporting this organization, check out their website and their annual magazine called, Journey of Hope--it's amazing.

Central Asia Institute serves communities that have been marginalized for decades and are very hard to reach. It has provided educational opportunities for children and youth in the most mountainous and rugged villages of Badakhshan in Afghanistan and in the farthest villages of Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan, for example. While most organizations left or cut their support to Afghanistan last year after the collapse of the Afghan government, Central Asia Institute stood up, did the hardest work, and scaled-up its efforts and grants to reach out to more deprived children and communities. The organization cares about the communities it serves. This year when parts of Pakistan was hit by floods, the organization never stopped to reach out to the generous individuals and organizations here in the US to raise fund for them and to support communities that had been impacted.

Central Asia Institute is among fewer non-profit organizations, which serve in remote and underserved communities of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan. Central Asia Institute has been supporting to establish and operate community-based education centers in Afghanistan that provide education opportunities to children who have never been to school. Also, Central Asia Institute has been organizing training for women in Pamir Valleys of Tajikistan to establish their small businesses and income generating activities, that supports the household livelihood. Similarly, Central Asia Institute has been supporting the adolescent girls in Pakistan by implementing Mensural Management Health program, which is considered a taboo according to local norms. These adolescent girls have needed knowledge, skills and supplies to manage their mensural with great confidence after attending Central Asia Institute supported training progarm.

I have been a donor for over 5 years to Central Asia Institute because I believe in their mission and what they have accomplished in the 25 years they have been helping women in girls in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan. I know that when women are taught that they can learn and teach and live then it helps their families and the whole population.

Central Asia Institute does a tremendous job working in hard to reach areas that many organizations do not serve. By working with communities and through nonprofit organizations that are located in-country they are responding to the needs of the communities rather than telling the communities what they need.

CAI has been inspirational to me since I was a college student and first read "Three Cups of Tea." I am a lifelong educator and embrace the mission of CAI to ensure that other people in the world get to experience the amazing benefits that educational opportunities provide around the world. I am thankful for all CAI does and will continue to support their mission!

My service on the board is so rewarding. I am especially impressed with the way CAI is navigating the new situation in Afghanistan and making sure that our mission to educate women and girls endures. Although there are challenges, CAI is creatively designing new ways to reach our students and fulfill their dreams of a better and brighter future. As well, CAI’s work in Pakistan and Tajikistan is continuing with new schools being built, more teachers receiving professional education, and more students becoming scholars as a result of CAI grants and commitments. CAI is a singular organization that reaches students, many times formerly inaccessible in remote and mountainous regions. There is no other non-profit like it!
-Eileen

I give to CAI because of their ability to achieve the impossible. Over the last 20+ years, CAI has continually provided educational opportunities to women and children in countries with deep rooted practices and beliefs in the oppression of women. CAI's efforts have proven successful even in times of war, famine and political unrest. As a result, the women affected by CAI have been able to gain independence and sense of self reliance that has helped them to lead happier, healthier more productive lives. Cheers to CAI!

As an American woman who has benefited from the advancement of women's rights in this country, I wanted to pay it forward to girls and women in regions of the world still struggling to attain basic rights and equal opportunities. CAI's work in forgotten and off-the beaten path places to provide girls with an education is tough work but they have learned how to be successful at this important work, transforming lives and communities.

As an elementary school teacher I have a deep connection to education for all, but especially the young. My own school has used the "Pennies for Peace" fundraiser to help the students here better understand that what they take for granted, many others lack and can only dream of having. We used the tools provided by Central Asia Institute (CAI) to deepen our students' knowledge of the communities CAI supports and to build a greater understanding of the power of an education. Valuable lessons were taught and learned. I feel CAI is doing important work educating girls in order to make their corner of the world a better place.

My experience with Central Asia Institute has been one of consistent care and coordination of meeting the needs of not only education, but also humanitarian assistance during the recent crisis in Afghanistan for all those in need. They go the extra mile to look for needs of the people and students.

I never hesitate to donate to this fantastic organization.

Anonymous

Incredibly thankful Central Asia Institute is continuing to work in such difficult environments to support women and girls. Proud to stand behind this organization and the work that's being accomplished.

I have been a donor and supporter of CAI for many years and I continue to be impressed by how much this small team accomplishes with so little. They help the children that the world forgot - in the most remote and hostile regions of the world - and spread hope and prosperity through education. It is a risky endeavor with little recognition or reward. They deserve all our support.

The CAI does important and necessary work helping girls and women gain access to education they deserve. Thank you endlessly for what you do!

Living in Bozeman, MT where the headquarters resides it has been enlightening to see the growth and the diversity that the organization has adapted due to COVID throughout the countries they provide assistance to. They have diversified where the people have needed it the most.

The work that this nonprofit does is priceless. The women and girls need our help more than ever; thank you for all that you do.

Central Asia Institute has been a continuing force for women and girls in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan. With what is happening in Afghanistan right now, they are still helping those in need.

So proud of my cousin Greg for founding CAÍ. His Big heart of compassion is a testimony to how God works in us and then makes big things happen through our individual passions. My heart cries out for the girls, women, and All the people of Afghanistan. Thank you CAI for being on the front lines even in today’s turmoil. Praying for all.

So impressed with this nonprofit and all of the great things they are doing to increase access to education for women and children in Central Asia. Truly thankful for the people behind this organization who make it possible!!

Reading Three Cups of Tea, I was pulled into the heroic story unfolding in distant lands I have only read about in the media. We have close friends who are Pakistani refugees in the USA. In the two years I have known them, I have struggled to understand the beauty of the country, and culture, they had to leave. Learning about CAI through the pages of the book, my eyes were opened to the life of poverty and struggle they left behind to eventually build a better life in USA. I can see how the mission of CAI will make the future brighter and better, and hopefully more peaceful, for the generations of children that have lived through the horrors of war and extremely difficult life in the past three decades. My heart told me I had to do what I can to help children like my friends’ relatives and countrymen/women to have a chance to be educated, so they can have hope of a better and safer life.

Years ago in Outside magazine my husband and I read a story by Peter Jenkins about his climbing friend who was building schools in Afghanistan. My husband wrote to the editor asking how we could support him and Outside published his contact information. I have been giving ever since to this organization that reaches far-flung ares that other NGO's never reach. Central Asia Institute arrives in communities at the invitation of local leaders and in response to local need. They truly meet people where they are. They are addressing the education of women, which impacts an entire region's health and economy and civil rights. I believe in Central Asia Institute for their compassion and tenacity and joy.

Great job doing by Central Asia Institute .So inspired by thier duty it's a great opportunity for the girls who are eager to knowledge. A powerful women can only be successful if we wants to power a girl to educate with dreams. Take step forward to impower the woman.

I'm always so impressed by what CAI is accomplishing! Building and repairing schools, providing learning materials, training teachers, giving scholarships to those in need...always with the goal of empowering people. Education truly is the key to changing the future, and CAI understands that. The semi-annual magazine I receive from CAI is wonderful. It really opens my eyes to how other peoples and cultures live. The magazine also provides many examples of how this nonprofit is in the business of working directly with people, forming strong relationships in order to understand what is needed.

Educated girls will change the world.
Central Asia Institute supports girls education by providing safe learning environments, school supplies and trained teachers.
As a non-profit, Central Asia Institute works tirelessly in their mandate of providing education to girls and boys in remote areas of the world and that is why I am a donor.
Barbara De Leebeeck

I became involved with Central Asia Institute after 9/11 when I was looking for a way to help stop us going to war to solve problems. In the time since then we are still at war but CAI has built and repaired so many schools, trained so many teachers, educated so many children. These children have become teachers and leaders in their own communities. I continue to believe this is the way to assist underdeveloped countries. Our wars should be against ignorance, poverty, and isolation.

I have been a donor for many years. I admire the work CAI does for women's education. They also keep me well informed about the work they do and about individual women who have been educated through their programs. I feel like this organization is a great way for me to help in some small way in these war-torn countries.

I have been a CAI supporter for many years. Their mission is so critical, and they go about it in such a thoughtful and culturally respectful way. Their communications are always inspiring with fantastic photos showing the beauty of the land and people CAI helps. I can think of nothing more important to the future of our world than promoting education, especially for girls. I will continue to support CAI as long as I can.

As a lifelong educator I am so impressed by the beautiful work of CAI. I learned how important it is for girls to get the education they deserve working in Mali. There girls rarely advanced beyond early education. CAI is so critical to advancing female education and lifelong learning. Prayers to you and keep up the good work. David

To dedicate one's life to serving the most remote areas of the world is a testimony to that person's love of others. We have lived in Asia and the Middle East and have witnessed the need of those who are denied an education because they must devote their lives to working and to keeping their families alive. After reading "Three Cups of Tea" we were amazed at the love and dedication that Mr Mortensen and his colleagues have for those who live in the most remote parts of our world. Education is more than "reading and writing and arithmetic", it is the essential base of learning and achieving goals, of realizing that those goals can be met, and that there are more goals that will be met in the future. Learning is essential to peace and prosperity in one's family, one's town, one's country, and the world. Central Asia Institute not only builds schools, their teachers build their pupils' strength to move forward, and to dream of and achieve the goals that once seemed unattainable. As a teacher, I know that Central Asia Institute is a leader and an example for all of us.

From reading the first book by Greg Morrtenson, Stones into Schools, I have been impressed with the work accomplished by CAI. So much better to educate the girls, women and children to change a culture away from violence and repression to a sustainable society. Thanks you for what you do and have accomplished over the years.

CAI is helping girls in Central Asia in ways nobody (including their own governments) has ever done. CAI builds, furnishes, and staffs schools where girls can become literate and be active participants in their communities. CAI communicates these girls' life stories to donors and the general public frequently and well, with good photography, so we can see the benefits. Every dollar I send them is well spent (and I'm rather picky about charities I send money to!) Greg Mortensen had a vision of helping those who live beyond the ends of roads; and CAI has made it a reality. CAI has assembled groups of people who work "on the ground," facing great difficulties and geological hazards all the time, and whose courage should be applauded. Sincerely, Anne Paterson.

What a great concept to have a charity that empowers women by making possible for them to get an education for the first time ever. Central Asia Institute does that and more by building schools in remote locations in war torn areas, providing teachers and books, and supporting the dreams of all children through their safe schools initiative. My money is well spent by CAI, and I look forward to reading of their success each year.

"Be the change that you wish to see in the world." An eternally famous quote by Mahatma Gandhi, and one of the many reasons why I have chosen to dedicate my life to education, and one of the reasons why I chose to donate to CAI. Thru the CAI institute, children from some of the most impoverished part of our world can receive an education that they so deserve. An education that will allow them to be the positive change we all wish to see in our world.

After reading Three Cups of Tea, the journey began. This is a good place to put your money where you mouth is to make a difference in peoples' lives. When we make other peoples' lives better, we all reap the benefit.

I am a firm believer that the road to peace is through education and empowerment of women in developing countries. The Central Asia Institute is the embodiment of this effort through their work in educating the young across Central Asia.Every dollar donated is multiplied many times in the value of the education provided. Excellent work,

Many years ago, I read the book Three Cups of Tea. This so inspired me regarding the non-education of girls and even just poor or isolated children that I began donating and have continued at least 1-2x/year. I was taught by my immigrant father that education is the true key out of poverty and oppression. When you educate, especially a girl, they will in turn educate their children.

I've been supporting CAI for many years. I love their emphasis on the education of women and girls, as it has long been shown that this can improve the health and well-being of the whole family and the community.

This is one of the very few charities that I donate to. They build and staff schools for girls in areas of the world that tend to deny education around women. Through CAI women in these areas are being empowered by being educated! I could think of no greater organization than this!

I believe that the work that the Central Asia Institute does is very important not only to the women and children that it helps and educates, but to the possibility of future peace, empowerment, education and progress in the region where the work is done. CAI has a long-term view and strategy of which a vital part is the inclusion and involvement of local communities and partners. Many nonprofits present themselves as solutions while excluding the local people, cultures and beliefs. This is the antithesis of CAI's founding creed, activities and actions. That is why I have supported them for a number of years now; I believe in their mission.

Doing important work for women and girls in area where they are undervalued.

I met Greg in 1993 and fell in love with the Karakoram too. I still go there every year with www.K2Trekking.com , and groups of men and women of all ages and abilities who love trekking, beautiful mountains and the wonderful kind hearted people of the Karakoram. I am currently organizing and leading another fun and interesting group for summer of 2019. I look forward to chatting to folks who are interested in going on this trek, which is probably the best basecamp trek in the world. Please do contact me to learn more at danielmazur@summitclimb.com and 360-570-0715 . Looking forward to further discussion, to meeting, and to trekking together! -Dan

CAI's focus on education is the basis of my support. It is my belief that women are the change agents for the world. Providing support for the education of all while ensuring opportunities especially for young women and girls is a significant mission of CAI. Educated young women have more opportunities and can, if they choose, have sons and daughters that they pass the importance of education on to. Taking the world out of the clutches of mystics and religious zealots starts with a strong educational foundation. It is the only path forward to the survival of our species and a world worth living on.
Carry on CAI!

I was so moved by reading “Three Cups of Tea” and “Stones for Schools” and learning all the life changing work done by CAI that I donate what I can when I can to this day. I was honored to meet and speak with Greg Mortenson when he was awarded an Honorary Degree from Simmons College in Boston. Simmons is celebrating its 114 Commencement this year and shares CIA’s passion for educating women to be leaders and to make a difference in their community and the world. It’s an important mission and I wholeheartedly support CIA and their wonderful work.

I developed my small travel bag business in 2014 to help raise funds so girls in impoverished areas of the world might gain access to education. As a teacher, I was looking for an organization I could partner with where my donation money might make the biggest impact. I considered several different organizations that effectively achieve this goal, but Central Asia Institute stood out because of the rural underserved areas where they work, and the grass roots approach they use in building, staffing and maintaining the schools they help build. By choosing to act as an assistant to a village wanting a school, where the village is committed to helping in various aspects of the schools creation and ongoing work, CAI finds the right balance in helping a dream come true in rural towns and villages. In order to be effective and successful long term, the people who these schools serve need to be fully vested. For these reasons and many more, my education donation dollars go to CAI.

I served in Afghanistan from 2006-2011 as a civilian advisor to the Afghanistan government. In my travels I saw first hand the great education program that Central Asia Institute provides. An excellent non-profit service to the children of Central Asia.

Central Asia Institute stands out from other education-focused and women-focused nonprofits in its dedication to its mission: to promote girls' and women's education and livelihood skills in the most remote areas of some of the most dangerous places on earth. They work where others won't, or never have, giving thousands a chance at education that they would never otherwise have.

My story began by reading "Three Cups of Tea" and my interest peaked when I heard the author's mother raising awareness for "Pennies for Peace" in local MN schools. I applaud CAI's efforts to support local Central Asian people to organize their communities, and work with those communities to build their own schools. I support CAI's work because I believe education is a powerful tool for building a more peaceful and prosperous future, and I believe that young girls and women will be the key to making this happen. The small amount of money that I send to support CAI will not move mountains, but it might pour a first, and maybe second, cup of tea!

What sets CAI apart is its determination to keep girls in school in remote areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan despite growing security threats. We can't let extremist groups thwart education. At the same time, CAI is not foolish. It leaves the decision whether to keep a school it supports open up to the local school administration, as they are obviously best placed to weigh the risks for the students.

I support the CAI organnization because they are doing grassroots education and uplifting the local population of educators and students. The book "Three Cups of Tea" was the beginning of my interest, and when they reinvented the organization I was impressed with the integrity it had. I encourage anyone interested in girls education to support this cause. They have now established a Canadian agency allowing Canadians to make tax-deductible donations. I look forward to reading "Journey of Hope" each year and reading about the amazing things that CIA is able to do with very little resources. Keep doing what you're doing, it's amazing!

I was a middle school librarian when I first heard about Greg Mortenson's book Three Cups of Tea. What a story to tell. The idea that Greg would honor a request to build a school to educate the girls of the village where they saved his life was an amazing venture. But to continue to build schools throughout that area where access is so limited and strife is unlimited shows the depth of character that Greg Mortenson has. He has personally overseen so many of the projects and seen the great need. From schools for girls, he expanded to helping the women of the villages by providing training for them. Then he found scholarships to send girls to University. So many other projects have come true. He has a huge heart. His ability to genuinely connect with the locals so that the projects became their own is what has made CAI a success.

Many years ago I was fortunate enough to hear him in person and meet him when he came to our small community with a presentation of his work with CAI. Greg personifies what it means to be humble at heart. He should never have been vilified in the press the way he was. Those people had no personal idea about his work, and the damage they did at the time was shameful.

I have donated to CAI since the beginning of their mission. I have given out his books to many, many friends. I am a firm believer that education, especially of women, is the only way to bring peace to world full of hatred and strife.

Thanks to all of you at CAI, and thank you, Greg, for all the sacrifices you make and all the many wondrous things you have done. I know that the harsh winter has done great damage to projects, and I hope that those of us who have so much will donate so that the people there in those remote areas can continue on with their mission.

I first read "Three Cups of Tea" back in 2009. A story of Greg Mortenson's failed journey up Mt. K2 and his subsequent involvement with educating girls and women in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the founding of the Central Asia Institute (CAI).

Every since - I've become more and more convinced that in the future we will look back and see that peace and prosperity in that region of the world improved when sustained efforts to educate and empower girls and women started through the efforts of the CAI and others.

I've followed CAI over these last 8 years - through thick and thin - and have been and continue to be a proud supporter of their efforts. The CAI's commitment and persistence to accomplishing the mission is inspiring.

I hope you will also help them in their efforts to bring real and lasting change and prosperity to the communities they serve.

Bob N.
Salem, NH

I am an elementary school teacher, giving my life to try to help children have a great foundation for their futures. I heard about Greg Mortenson's dream to thank a Himalayan village for saving his life by honoring them with books for the children - and then by fulfilling the ambitious effort to build them a bridge and a school.

I heard how surprised Greg was that the funding ended up coming from students saving coins in their classrooms and sending it to him. His story moved my heart and my class joined in the mission to fund him. We found it very exciting!

Greg's vision has grown into a mission to impact local people's views toward peace by bringing provision from America to local people through education. He believes the most powerful people to educate are girls simply because they grow into mothers - and mothers stick around and will teach their children. This is a powerful idea.

At the time I began supporting CAI the teachers in their schools worked for $1 a day. I realized I could give $30 a month and empower another teacher's work in educating eager students. What a great investment! I have been personally supporting CAI through monthly donation for a decade and will continue. I hope you will join me.

Not only do they do great work educating girls in Pakistan and Afghanistan, but they regularly communicate about the great work they do. Who run the world?

We donate monthly to CAI and have always been impressed with the amazing work they do to promote education, especially for girls, in remote regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Like so many others, I was inspired by "Three Cups of Tea" to get involved with CAI's work for education in the area of Afghanistan, etc.
The help CAI gives to develop educational facilities, especially for girls in a male-dominated society, is wonderful, and it deserves every help and support.
Peace through education, peace through tolerance can be achieved, even though it is a long, stony road - please, get involved; every Penny helps!

This is a fantastic organization doing critical work to educate children, primarily girls but also boys, and to train women to become teachers, health care workers, as well as learn other vocational skills. They are a non political group, primarily located in Afghanistan and Pakistan. their mission is to promote peace through education, and they work closely with each local community which must actively participate in planning and building a school, donating land and in many other ways. CAI's annual or semi annual magazine is beautifully done with wonderful personal and informative stories and articles and pictures, and their yearly calendar is a favorite of mine and a Christmas present to several of my friends. I urge you to support them and their wonderful work. Sharmila Hoffman, Mountain View, CA

No better cause than promoting and helping education! CAI is doing amazing work in an area of great need.

I was hooked when I read in Three Cups of Tea that a nation will never get ahead unless/until the females are educated. Sounded like a great way to spread world peace, and I've been donating ever since, as someone else said, through thick and thin.

This is a very practical way to make a big difference with a little donation. The education and empowerment of girls and women is the key to peace and prosperity for everyone. I don't have much money to spare, so I have to carefully choose where my donations will go. This is a well-run, no frills, no hassle charity I'm proud to support!

I have been inspired by this program since first reading Three Cups of Tea and subsequently meeting Greg Mortenson. As a returned Peace Corps volunteer I could relate to many of the stories and situations Greg described in doing grass-roots intercultural relations. I have also worked many years to improve the health of women and children. I couldn't agree more with the approaches of CAI. I feel I am promoting international goodwill and peace through CAI.

CAI fearlessly takes the right approach to changing the world---empowering women and local people. I have gladly supported the mission through thick and thin and always will.

Really impressive work they are doing in regions where that even basic human necessities are hard to procure. CAI injects hope and confidence into these little minds. I am proud to be a part of this great organization.

We've been donating to CIA and closely following their work for many years. With two brothers in the military it was important to me to contribute in a positive way, building communities in the places my brothers served. CIA has been very proactive in organizing us as donors and keeping us involved in their work.

My husband and I have been donating to CAI since we listened to the book "Three Cups of Tea". In a region that's full of conflicts, poverty and uncertainty, what CAI does sends a courageous and hopeful message to the world. Education, prosperity, hope and peace go hand in hand. Sharing understanding, empathy and love across boarders, races and religious beliefs are what we all should promote and foster. Every little bit helps. I am proud to continue supporting this organization and it's mission.

I don't believe terrorism can be defeated militarily. It's like a hydra head - as soon as you chop off one head, seven more grow. I do think we need to work with hearts and minds to foster peace. I have supported CAI's mission of providing education to people in central Asia who need it, especially women and children, by making monthly donations for almost ten years. Our tax dollars go to fighting wars whether we want them to or not, so I want my donation dollars to help create peace.

I was inspired to become a monthly donor after seeing an article in a magazine and reading "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson. His approach to building schools, especially for girls, in Pakistan, Afghanistan and other Central Asia areas, is unique and hugely successful. The Central Asia Institute team works WITH villagers, village elders and other key people to get their perspectives, find out what their needs and challenges are, and gain their support. The result? Girls and young women are being educated and bringing wisdom and skills that enhance the lives of their communities. What better way to lift up women in the world and foster peace ?

The way to make the world a better place is to focus on the educational system of children. Thank you CAI for your intentions and efforts!

I have been donating to CAI since 2007. It has been wonderful seeing their growth and continued commitment to girl's education!

I truly believe in the mission of the Central Asia Institute . The work that this organization is doing in Pakistan, Afghanistan and other developing countries to provide education and advancement opportunities for girls and young women is remarkable. When girls and women are empowered and educated, the quality of life in a community improves for everyone. As a woman in the US who has access to education, money and influence, I stand with my sisters across the world in hopes that all women can experience a better quality of life for their families and their communities. Congratulations Central Asia Institute for the fantastic work you are doing to improve the quality of life for women, families and communities.

I wanted to be a part of this organization as soon as I read Greg's book, Three Cups of Tea. I bought the book as a birthday gift to myself and after reading it I wrote a brief note within the cover encouraging it's future readers to support education for girls through CAI. I then sent the book out into the world and initiated a regular contribution plan myself to help fund the CAI schools.

We've set up our donations to Central Asia Institute to be deducted monthly automatically. This ensures we continue to support this admirable, far reaching, non profit organization. With two daughters of our own, we feel good about making education a reality for girls in challenging environments.

With all the talk in this election cycle about “winning the war on terrorism”, very little has been said about fostering peace. CAI has determined that the best way to foster peace is through providing education to people who need it, especially women and children. This has been their focus since the beginning, and I couldn’t be prouder to support. If your tax dollars go to fighting wars, send your donation dollars to create peace. And, perhaps, with this model, we could better educate our own population and elect enlightened leaders to instill real peace throughout the world!

CAI against difficulties both internal and external has succeeded beyond expectations. My wife and I have been regular supporters of CAI since reading "THREE CUPS OF TEA". Education of girls is the key to peace. No one has done more with less in this area than CAI.

The work done by CAI is critical to improving the health of the populations in the areas they serve. Educating girls in particular decreases family sizes, increases maternal age at first birth, and increases rates of vaccination and extended breastfeeding. Providing education for children allows them to envision a future in which they can surpass the roles their culture would place them in. It allows local children to become nurses, doctors, and engineers who return to serve their home villages. Please continue to support this critical work.
Eric Holden PA, DHSc
Doctor of Health Science & Global Health
CAI Monthly Donor

I think the future of the human race depends on educated people and so was drawn by the effort to educate girls and women to better care for families. I appreciate the efforts to include young school children in more advantageous circumstances to participate as well. The beautifully illustrated reports are very informative. I feel that my contributions can really make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate.

We were looking for a group that was helping in an area of need that wasn't being addressed by other organizations. CAI was the only group that we were aware of that was helping girls get an education in some of the remotest villages on the planet. CAI has been a consistent and growing presence in helping these villages set up schools where there had been none. CAI has been there to help the villages rebuild their schools when nature has shaken them to the ground. Their efforts and those of the villages they are helping have over time born the fruit of educated young women who have returned to their communities as teachers, healthcare providers and other professions. These returning young women are inspirations for the girls and boys in their communities to strive for something different and to give back. What more would one want from a donation?

I remember way back in 2006, it was a rainy night on march 20, that I met Greg Mortensen
on his book promotion of Three Cups of Teas on El camino Real, Palo Alto, California.

I admired his passion for building schools for girls in such remote and barren region and echoed my belief that world peace through education, especially so in middle east where
most girls don't have opportunity to get educated.

it has been more than a decade since i became a donor of Central Asia Institute and i will continue to do so because the world is in need of our efforts more than ever.

I believe it is important to educate girls and women especially in countries that don't usually do this. It not only helps the girls when they become adults and have families of their own but helps the villages they live in to advance too. I think the world will be a better place when everyone, man or woman has a chance to be educated. Building schools in central Asia is a beginning and I am happy to know that many girls have received an education due to my donations.

I was initially inspired by Three Cups of Tea - the story of how the idea of building schools in remotest parts of Asia all started. I have been a campaigner for the global environment for decades, and also for women's rights to control their own fertility - only when soaring rates of population growth are cut almost to zero, will efforts to conserve the natural environment really succeed. Vital to this is the education of girls, so that they can aspire to a wider future than constant child-bearing. As teachers, doctors, lawyers they will power the development of more harmonious societies.

Central Asia Institute is a unique nonprofit, doing difficult, complex work of establishing girls schools and promoting women's projects in some of the most difficult, dangerous, parts of the world. I have yet to find someone working in the exact same areas for the last two decades, and able to produce. Central Asia Institute CAI produces a project master list

CAI also unfortunately has been the subject relentless media attacks, which has reduced its funding by 80%. These include flawed attacks by CBS, NBC, Washington Post, Jon Krakauer, Tom Brokaw, and others, some of which regarding financial information is accurate, but the large portion are biased, out of context, misrepresented, and even false statement in the case of CBS, which has produced critically flawed, wildly inaccurate, sensationalized, also been caught flagrantly lying about Benghazi, NSA and Social Security Administration. Instead of following the media to learn about CAI, please look at the Attorney General's report, lawsuit dismissal, IRS investigation report, all which state the organization has not committed any crime or fraud, as the bias media would have one believe. The law is more accurate than the media which no longer has the credibility to protect the fifth estate. Watch the documentary "Shadows Of Liberty" to see how corrupt and flawed TV media has become in a sell-out to corporate conglomerates. Watch "Shadows of Liberty" documentary to see how media has been bought out and TV stations like CBS seek to destroy nonprofits and companies doing good work.

I continue to donate to this organization and have faith in CAI's management. They have addressed funding/organizational issues responsibly and continue extraordinarily important work in central Asia.

I have donated to this charity for years and intend to keep doing so. A while back 60 Minutes did a piece on this charity to highlight claims of abuse by a climber and author. As I had promoted giving to this charity with family and coworkers, I was interested in learning more about the claims presented by 60 Minutes. What I found was that to learn more about the specific charges, I was expected to pay a fee to access a website containing an online book.

After using every other avenue available and finding out all the information about the charges, here is my summary view of them: The otherwise peerless CBS 60 Minutes was duped into providing free publicity for a money making effort by the person who made the claims.

Furthermore, in investigating Mr. Mortenson's so called lavish personal travel benefits: I looked at the event schedule, trying to find a date to hear him speak in person. Day after day, week after week, month after month was filled with events for faculty, students, groups, and boards. I have had to travel extensively for my job as a staff trainer. I could not have held up under Mr. Mortenson's schedule.

Each day of every month was crammed full of educational and fundraising events throughout the morning, day, and evening. Then a flight to another destination, sometimes with another event taking place upon arrival at that new location. Most of the events were at U.S. colleges and universities, and at community groups where those institutions are located. His detractors would have us believe that he was flying around the world on a vacation junket to luxurious tourist destination resorts.

Also, one reviewer here said building schools is cheap, but staffing and maintaining them is the difficult part. This is quite true. Please use the links here to go to this charity's webpages to see how paying teachers, providing school supplies, and supporting attendance is a large part of their efforts. U.S. government military built schools may be very generous, but unfortunately are viewed by locals as attempts to subvert their culture.

CAI does not just go somewhere and build a school in hopes that teachers and students will somehow show up. They receive requests from village councils to build a school in a remote village, one that the government will not serve with its own resources. In lands that are dominated by warlords, zealous clerics, and tribal chiefs, no one is going to send their children to a school unless such community leaders support it.

The brush with 60 Minutes caused the charity to make many changes to ensure transparency, protect the investments of donors, and ensure the long term viability of its charitable operations. If you want to make your own decisions about these concerns, please visit the archives of the Daily Bozeman, the court documents, the charity's website, and good old Google searches. I trust you will arrive at the same conclusions I have.

After serving with the U.S. military in Kabul, Afghanistan, I observed the effects of discrimination against girls and women. The Afghan Major General in charge of the Ministry of Defense (MoD) legal department proudly claimed, "Four women equal one man!".

Greg Mortensen, though imperfect, has broken the code on breaking the cycle of illiteracy, poverty, and ignorance in South Asia. His organization needs our support. The solution, rather than military might, is soft power through education. Please help us turn the tide--donate to CAI.

David Starnes joins CAI team as new executive director
Will move to Bozeman in late Febuary.
Central Asia Institute announced today that it has hired a new executive director, David Starnes.

David, a 57-year-old father of three, will join us in late February after winding down his work with USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives-Pakistan. He brings to the job more than 30 years experience as a professional and organizational development consultant, working with nonprofit, for-profit and government organizations, including 19 years as executive director of the Baltimore-Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound Center.

David joins us just as we are gearing up for the 2013 building and maintenance season. In the past year, bolstered by our supporters' continued confidence, we sustained our commitment to more than 300 existing projects, and initiated 60 new projects: 20 in Pakistan, 36 in Afghanistan, and four in Tajikistan. As most of our projects are in the remote Karakoram, Hindu Kush, and Pamir mountains, springtime is the busiest season.

"I am looking forward to working with CAI's team both in the United States and in the communities it serves," David said. "CAI has made a profound impact on people's awareness of the need for education and community health initiatives in the remote and rural villages of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan. I'm excited to be on board."

Greg Mortenson, CAI's co-founder, served as executive director from CAI's founding in 1996 until December 2011. He remains on staff, playing a supportive role, primarily with overseas programs and relationships. He will also continue to help with fundraising.

"With a new, capable board of directors and the experienced leadership of David Starnes, CAI is ready to move strongly into the future," Greg said.

David currently serves as the deputy country representative for USAID-Office of Transition Initiatives in Pakistan. He has been in Pakistan since January 2010 working with the Pakistan government in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Khyber Pakhtunkwa Province to provide basic support and stabilization services for communities in the critically important border areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Prior to taking the USAID post, David spent a month as a volunteer in Jordan, teaching English at a Palestinian refugee camp. From 2008 to 2009, David worked as a senior program analyst with Stanley, Baker, Hill LLC in support of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)-Office of Safety and Health in Iraq.

Stateside, David worked with Outward Bound USA for more than 20 years in a variety of senior executive roles, including his years at the Baltimore center, Outward Bound's first urban center. He worked with local government officials to initiate the Philadelphia center, and played a key leadership role in shaping Outward Bound USA's long-term strategy on urban centers.

David earned both his bachelor's degree in parks and recreation administration and master's in public administration at Western Illinois University. He has three adult children, Justin, 28, Rachael, 26, and Sarah, 24.

CAI launched a nationwide search to fill the executive director's position and received dozens of qualified applicants, said Steve Barrett, chairman of the CAI board of directors.

"CAI is excited to have someone of David's background and experience join us in our mission to promote literacy and education, especially for girls," said Steve, a Bozeman attorney and former member of the Montana University System's Board of Regents. "David's extensive experience in community development and his past three years in Pakistan uniquely qualify him to help CAI continue to fulfill its mission of the last 17 years. Our board is thrilled and we look forward to David joining our team."

Last August, Greg noted on the CAI Communique: "Being executive director of Central Asia Institute is a unique task with incredible rewards. More than a job, it is a calling. ... We look forward to the added vitality that this person will bring to the CAI team - especially during these particularly challenging times in the communities CAI serves in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan."

I am not a little disturbed by your information on Central Asia Institute, as it is badly out of date. Greg Mortenson resigned as Executive Director some time ago and recently has left its Board of Directors in order to preserve what has been an important mission of both Mortenson and the Institute. I shall continue to contribute.

I feel Greg Mortenson is one of the great men of the world and question whether that can be said about 60 Minutes or Jon Krachauer. One of the reviewers commented that his was an impartial report. How do we know that? Obviously, Mortenson is not necessarily good at handling money and it appears that the institute has recognized that and is now using him where his talents are strongest. How many of us can say that we have done so much to change the world for better?

I've spent many years in Afghanistan. I donated good money to the CAI nearly a decade ago. Greg Mortenson has been proven a thief. Believe me when I say this: putting up schools in these countries cost's nearly nothing out of pocket, but costs nearly everything out of heart and passion. When I was in the Marines, we built three schools in 1 DAY! You know what took 6 months? Getting students there, getting teachers to stay, getting girls there and getting supplies. Mr. Mortenson, you may think one day that people will see your overall effort as positive. Don't, for a second, think that I will. Spending $1.5 million on domestic travel for yourself. What you've done is beyond forgivable - not because we can't forgive, because we must forgive - but because a man of your malicious moral fiber can never be upstanding. There's a reason you spent your twenties living in a car - if that was even true - because you can only steal your wealth.

O and rachels beautiful and she makes me smile 24/7

Charity Navigator does not do itse reputation any good by assuming guilt based on allegations against Central Asia Institute. CN should continue to display the CAU financial information, and put an advisory about the allegations, but let the donors make up their own mind.

I have no idea why people would want you to take down your "Donor Advisory"; I, for one, appreciate it and it's one of the reasons I use Charity Navigator! No, simply reading the reviews and other info doesn't speak for itself - the advisory is helpful. As a co-founder of a non-profit that works with war-injured children, I'm appalled at the "salary" and perks that Greg Mortenson was taking from his "charity". I think what the CAI does is wonderful, but without removing Mortenson from the Board, I can't have much faith that the money is going where it should.

I agree with the other reviewers. Please just present the facts and treat them like any other charity. Information about their financials would be very useful. Links to outside web articles and a blinking red advisory seems excessive.

I agree with other reviewers who have asked you to simply post the charity's information and financials as you do for other charities so potential donors can make their decisions based on data. I believe you lose some credibility when you allow news magazines and authors trying to sell their inflammatory books to make your evaluations.

Charity Navigator, please take down the Donor Advisory. Just post their financial information and let it speak for itself. On their website, CAI says they have averaged spending 83% of their revenues on programs. Maybe recently they've been saving up, because of all the added revenue from the books. It would be wasteful to spend money that fast, just to say that their spending percentage met a certain requirement. They obviously have a larger revenue stream than ever before, and they want to be careful how they spend it. It takes a lot of time to lay the social and political groundwork for a new school. They can't just say, "let's build 100 schools this month, because we have the money for it." I've been a loyal donar to CAI for about a year, and all this controversy honestly scared my wife and I enough that we've stopped our monthly contributions to them. Reading the reviews of others on this site, and looking at CAI's site has reminded me how awesome they are. We'll be giving monthly to them again soon.

People have to start looking into more and more charities. The public is just taking for granted that when the word charity is involved, that the money u give is being used in the charities best interest. What I am finding, is that alot of charities are benefiting contractors or members of these charities or services provided to these charities are profiting greatly and only a small % of funds are going to help the charities mission...please investigate the %of money made vs. money given to charity grants (not salaries, not expenses, not questionable payments to 3rd parties...one on my radar is Susan B Coleman that spends over 70 % for salaries and other questionable expenses...hundreds of millions collected for the AWARENESS OF BREAST CANCER...Im aware, how spending hundreds of millions on cure, research, care, and prevention

I want C.N. to remove their "warning" as I belive CAI has satisfactorily answered all the allegations. It's over. I have confidence in their belief that education is the only way. Hey, all that killing and all that bombing have not changed a thing. Education both in the US and Pakistan and Afghanistan is our only hope in getting them out of the stone age, giving women the freedom of choices they deserve.

My husband, a Peace Corps volunteer teacher in Afghanistan during the 1970's, and I have been steady supporters of CAI since we initially learned of its activities several years ago. The building and schools and the training of teachers, focusing on female students, is of prime importance to the future of Afghanistan in our experience. All the information from CAI rings true to us. We follow their website, meet with their personnel, and attend their meetings on the West Coast.

The "60 minutes" program appeared to be based primary on a disgruntled employee. CAI has mounted all its financials on its website. We continue to support the group fully and gratefully.

NAME ONE ORGANIZATION THAT HAS BUILT ANY SCHOOLS IN THESE CONTRIES???? HAS 60 MINUTES BEEN INVOLVED IN ANYTHING HUMANITARIAN IN THE US OR THE WORLD??? DOES DESTROYING AIS HELP ANYONE??? WHY DID 60 MINUTES DO THIS INSTEAD OF USING A HELPING APPROACH???

The CBS News / Jon Krakauer allegations of 4/17 and thereafter PLUS the ongoing investigations by the Montana AG and Penguin / Viking Books cause me to enter a 4 rating rather than a 5. In other words, I continue to support the organization fully as I have for 3+ years, but I recognize that there are questions to be answered.

I subscribe heartily to CAI's philosophy and success in gaining village agreement, resource support, and sweat equity for every bridge, school, women's center, and medical center they fund. Also their financial support for teacher training and stipends without any attempt to say what the subject matter and curriculum should be. Lastly, I believe in the engagement of students throughout the US (and beyond?) in funding school supplies and uniforms for village children who will attend those or other schools, taught by those or other teachers.

I expect CN to drop the Donor Advisory as SOON as the investigations are published, unless those results cause CN instead to reduce its own valuation of CAI's worth and viability.

Yes, I saw the 60 minutes report -- but did anyone actually take the time to read his responses (and the CAI's board of directors) to the 60 minutes report? You know, his side of the story? The fact that perhaps the reporters who questioned folks in Pakistan and Afghanistan might have talked to the wrong people? 60 minutes raised some good questions, but they gave him less than ONE WEEK and were in his FACE demanding an answer. Anyone take a look at the CAI tax returns on the CAI website? Mr. Mortensen was making $28k in 1996. In 1997, it was $31k. In 2003, something like $50k. TO LEAD AN ENTIRE ORGANIZATION AND BUST HIS TAIL DOING SOMETHING NOONE ELSE WAS WILLING TO DO! You can start criticizing the day you go over to Afghanistan and build a school. Give the guy a break. His compensation now takes that into account (again, read the response from the CAI board on the 60 minutes website, at the end of the article). Perhaps he needs to hire a PR person or a business manager to handle the reporting better, or hire someone to track exactly how many schools are built and visit them each once a year to check on their progress, but Krakauer himself said that Mortensen's a good guy with a good heart. Don't believe everything you read, but don't believe everything 60 minutes reports. Everything is ALWAYS slanted, on both ends of it. I'm giving it 5 stars to compensate for the ignorance of some of the other reviewers.

Not impressed... if I want data on a publicly trade company I can access that data without registering, or being "authorized" to review the data. At first glance it appears that you are hiding something. I bought the book, but I have not donated and at this point will not donate.

Charities that do this type of work are desperately needed in places where war zones are present in Pakistan/Afghanistan. Greg M had the foresight to see the need for schools and then figure out a way to implement his ideas after voluntarily deciding to get involved in this activity. From the beginning as he states in his books he is a much better volunteer than a businessman or accountant. Unlike many of us fellow Americans safe in our homes he is risking his life every time he goes to Pakistan alone. Often he has to deal with the diverse and confusing Pakistani political scene to travel and to procure materials. Logistics are a nightmare and often require extreme patience and money to protect and store supplies. His campaign for building schools starts and ends with the local population in each village. This most significant fact was omitted in the 60 Minutes interview. On top of all this he has had to deal with religious leaders and issues that could have not only stopped him in his tracks from continuing but could have lead to his death because he would be viewed as an infidel as well as an American in terrorist infested areas.

I don't know of John Krakuaer's involvement other than that he is complaining about a fellow mountain climber and has some strange idea about what it takes to do the things Greg and his family have accomplished.
Clearly, some accounting must be made to clear up Greg's good name and to reaffirm his voluntarism. I plan to continue my support of CAI as I know of no other similar organization that has had such a positive impact on the Northern tribes of Pakistan.
They rely on CAI much more than on the broken promises of the Pakistani government.

The news about CAI's alleged fraudulent activities continue to grow. I would like to know how Charity Navigator can continue to list them as a 4-star charity given the amount of data that is now available.

I have discontinued support of this organization because the funds are not being used properly. Something is amiss when travel accounts for more than 50% of service expenditures. Something is amiss when no per diem monies received by GM are returned to the organization despite it paying for his travel to events where he earns per diem (sometimes first-class according to the 990). Something is amiss when the CAI publication purchases exceed $700,000 and the obvious purchase option is GM's books. I don't agree with the conclusion of the internal review of potential conflict of interest; GM has a conflict of interest that has not been adequately resolved.

Guidestar apparently does not rate these charities, but must regurgitate whatever marketing comes from the organization. Don't just watch "60 Minutes", read Jon Krakauer's unbiased report. I am only adding this ZERO (but made into a 1 because the system does not allow below that) rating to neutralize some of the 5star opinions listed here. BUT I am informed.

I think Charity Navigator needs to explain how it arrived at its 4 star rating (and stands by it). In particular, how idd you calculate that 88% of funds go for "Program Expenses"?

The fact that this has 4 stars is a major blow to charity navigator's credibility.
$4,607,300 spent on "domestic outreach"(telling people in America about the problem) while 3,954,644 was spent on actually building and supporting schools.
"A donation to Central Asia Institute, at least in 2009, was more likely to be spent on costs related to educating people in the U.S. about problems in Pakistan and Afghanistan than on helping children in central Asia with their education." -American Institute of Philanthropy
Having these two completely different costs lumped in together as "program costs" on charity navigator's rating page is just not helpful. The rating should compare how well the finances line up with what the charity purports to care about, not what they can legally define as "program costs". If CAI rebranded as a charity partially devoted to educating Americans about the importance of education in Afghanistan and Pakistan, they would have a much harder time gaining funding.
My faith in Charity Navigator is seriously shaken, and the donor advisory warning is ridiculous: "Charity Navigator, as an impartial evaluator of publicly reported financial information, takes no position as to the seriousness of the issue(s) nor does it seek to confirm or verify the accuracy of such reports."
Why have a rating system then? Reporting numbers without context is just helping the organization whitewash it's numbers and lend false credibility. This is serious problem.

sources:
http://www.charitywatch.org/articles/CentralAsiaInstitute.html
https://www.ikat.org/about-cai/financials/

Shame on Sixty Minutes for creating a tempest in a teapot!

Had Sixty Minutes investigated Greg Mortenson himself, I believe they would have found a modest man, living rather modestly with his wife and 2 children in Bozeman Montana. No yachts, no jets, no vacation homes on every continent, no bank accounts in the Cayman Islands, no garage full of expensive cars. In short, no evidence of using CAI funds for his personal benefit.

Instead, Sixty Minutes published ugly innuendos made by Jon Krakauer, a former CAI board member who has had no personal experience with the organization for over a decade and who, for reasons known only to Mr.Krakauer, chose today to throw stones at Greg Mortenson's Schools.

SCAM

I looked at their website... It reads like a hustle.

I would not trust this organization.

- Just my subjective belief (opinion).

Regardless of whether or not CAI has exaggerated its reports, one should pay particular attention to the impact that CAI has had at the grassroots levels - on the "local" populations. It appears to me that those higher up the bureaucratic chain are quick to join the bandwagon in pointing out how CAI could have been sounder in its decisions, or conducted better work. However, at the end of the day, let us be realistic. We are dealing with areas of the world where the government, NATO, or US security forces had a minimal presence and most definitely did not address the education needs of the marginalized. CAI has been performing and continues to perform great feats under great challenges.

Thank you

A helpful article to put what I have said into perspective:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13125953

After reading the book I called CAI and offered to fully fund the construction of a school, however it had to be a specific school and I had to see a specific budget as well as see pictures of the site and village served before construction as well as during construction and upon completion. I was told, "We do not do that." I was invited to give money for a construction fund, but was told it wasn't possible to fund a specific school. I was astonished. I found that the board chair was a professor, so I got his e-mail that way and made my offer directly to him. He didn't even reply. I thought this was very strange that they would so easily refuse $30-$40K, but this fits very well with the charges that have come up.

I'm only responding to the "60 Minutes" piece. Despite the glowing defenses made here, I think prospective donors should watch the piece and make their own conclusions. There is a transparency issue with nonprofits who believe avoiding journalists -- even "yellow" journalists -- will benefit them. By not participating in the dialog, it creates the impression that the charity has something to hide. In the case of this charity, at the least, it creates an uncertainty about the Board's veracity. At worst, it undermines trust in the nonprofit's governance. I'm putting this in the "Nice idea, but . . ." category. I have no problem with Mortenson's making $, either directly or indirectly through the charity. It's not even unseemly; this is America. The lack of transparency is my complaint.

I must confess that CharityNavigator's response to the report seems a bit complacent. True, they're just rating based on the public reports, but maybe it's time to look for additional metrics. I don't think this charity will be in the situation that the Philadelphia Orchestra finds itself anytime soon.

Need to release yearly finacial statements and to have an audit every year befor I would give money to this organization.

The "60 Minutes" expose is not the first time this program has been sloppy, at best. Before detailing another example that is not well known I wonder why they challenge someone who risks his life to make a difference in an admirable way, something not done by anyone else--and there have nearly two decades for someone to replicate his activities.

Did the program compare Mortenson's salary with that of others in similar situations? Nope. And it is not excessive. Did the program take into account the risks Mortenson faces when he appears publicly--because he has friendships with and helps Muslims, who are viewed in this country today the way Japanese-Americans were viewed during WWII?

Did the program include Tom Friedman, who wrote about his experience with Mortenson when a new school was opened? No.

Too often "60 Minutes" shows its fondness for yellow journalism.

And now the vulture media--the parrots--repeat and exaggerate everything concluded by the program.

Now for another grievance about "60 Minutes." In December 1996, featuring Morley Safer, there was segment about the new viatical settlement industry. Safer seemed to praise it. He was widely quoted by viatical companies as stating this was "the perfect no-risk investment." The phrase was taken out of context, but it led to tens of thousands of elderly people investing in fraudulent viatical contracts.

I contacted the program, asking to speak to several anchors, finally left a message asking them to retract the apparent endorsement and run a correction. Silence.

A number of viatical companies even used a video of that segment as a marketing device.

In a follow-up message I told "60 Minutes" that they were co-conspirators, helping to induce people into becoming fraud victims.

No response. In my mind, "60 Minutes"chooses not to be responsible.

ln my mind, the veracity of reports on "60 Minutes" should be questioned whenever they attempt an expose.

If you are considering donating money to CAI, please understand that this organization has effectively been committing fraud. I have spent years in the development field and this is not an uncommon result when an individual sets up a program without a good management team, board of directors and other forms of proper oversight. Until the management team admit their mistakes and make the necessary changes you should consider giving your hard earned money to more effective organizations.

There is no accountability with CAI. One audited financial statement in 14 years is unacceptable for an organization bringing in $10M+ every year. Their operations appear more like an organization in its first year or two with very small revenues. In addition, 60 Minutes revealed that half of the supposed CAI schools either do not exist or were not funded by CAI.

The lack of transparency of this organization’s leader, and the personal use of the bulk of funds it raises, is cause enough to not support the Central Asia Institute. Continuing to rate them highly certainly calls into questions the basis by which GuideStar makes and monitors its ratings.

I do not understand why Charity Navigator awarded this charity a 4 star rating. The annual tax filings prepared by the organization do not satisfy the need for annual, independent audits.

With respect to the other reviewers comments regarding the inspirational books, how can they inspire when the author (exec. director of this organization) freely admits that these events never occurred?

Their response that they do not have time to respond to the concerns of the public is unacceptable. His book tour expenses should be paid by either his publisher or himself, not the organization. I also question the figures reported on the Form 990. It appears the organization materially understated both the fundraising expense figure and director compensation totals. If the charity funded all the book and speaking engagement expenses, they need to receive the income from those activities.

Unless and until they submit to annual independent audits, I sincerely hope their 501(c)(3) tax exemption is revoked.

Despite the critical 60 Minutes report (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/04/15/60minutes/main20054397.shtml) and AIP report (http://www.charitywatch.org/articles/CentralAsiaInstitute.html), I currently still highly recommend this organization.

In the big picture this organization has had a huge positive impact on how the general public and the US military understand what is happening in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Even its critics and 60 minutes admit that it has succeeded in educating many girls and having a tremendous positive impact.

No the organization or the leader can be expected to be perfect. CAI is working in an area that is extremely challenging. By his own admission in his books, Greg Mortenson admits to not being so great with administrative matters -- he is a doer, not a detailed administrator. It does appear that some issues need buttoning up. But it is important not to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Give CAI some time and I believe it will address the concerns that have been raised. The US government itself has made many much bigger errors, yet it has survived and continues to improve. Life is complicated and messy.

Even with some "inefficiencies", CAI and Greg Mortenson are still doing more for Peace with fewer dollars than any other organization I know. Greg's books are still worth reading.

This organization was on 60 minutes and I immediately started my computer to look for it on Charity Navigator.

I don't believe in donating to an organization that does not have an Audit Committee.

I don't understand how they received a 4 star rating.

Having watched the 60 Minutes segment on CAI, I would ask Charity Navigator, for which I have a great deal of respect, to review the rating on this charity. It seems there is a great error in your information and you have been conned along with many others.

The 60 minute report did bring out that he has done some good but that is NO rationalization for what appears to be the lies, misrepresentations and perhaps fraud that appear to be going on. At the very least, the Montana Attorney General should be investigating this group and determining if there is enough evidence to file suit and begin getting statements under oath and filing subpoenas for documents.

Based on the 60 minute expose please explain your 4 star rating.

I sent this question to Charity Navigator on 12/20/2010 re: Central Asia Institute: The American Institute of Philanthropy has a detailed report about CAI in the April/May issue of Charity Rating Guide and Watchdog Report. I am concerned about this: "Having received many inquiries from donors about CAI, AIP sent a certified letter to the charity last year requesting its financial documents, including audited financial statements. When the charity failed to respond after many months, we followed up in November of 2009 and were told by CAI's operations director, Jennifer Sipes, that the charity "[does not] have audits." When asked why not, Sipes told AIP that CAI's board of directors is currently working with an attorney to "get this sorted out," but could not say for sure when an audit would be available, or what years it would include." Is this information consistent with your information? Seems pretty serious to me, and, if true, would jeopardize the 4 star rating of CAI. Disclosure: I am a donor to CAI but have no other affiliation and certainly no axe to grind.

Here is the response: Dear Stephen Smith, Thank you for contacting Charity Navigator. You can view their audited statements for FYE 2009 on their website: https://www.ikat.org/about-cai/financials/
Sincerely, Farhana Arastu

I sent the same question to Central Asia Institute on 12/22/2010 and received this response: Thank you for contacting us. Central Asia institute recognizes its obligations to provide information regarding its programs and activities for review by the public. To meet this obligation, our policy is to provide the reports and information to the official local, state and federal governmental regulatory agencies as required by law. These entities include the Internal Revenue Service and Attorney General Offices in the states in which we conduct activities. We address donor inquiries, and provide current financial information, including our tax Form 990 and our Audited Financial Statements, on our website (https://www.ikat.org/about-cai/financials/) to ensure transparency.

There are numerous charity watchdog organizations who have requested our information. Each have their own arbitrary analysis, guidelines, and application process to assess non-profit organizations. To apply with them all would be counterproductive to our limited overhead and low operational costs. Therefore, when donors request independent information, we direct them to organizations that receive their information and comply with IRS stipulations, such as Guidestar (http://www.guidestar.org) and Charity Navigator (http://www.charitynavigator.org/). We also direct donors to individual state attorney general offices, who can provide registration information on Central Asia Institute.

Please let me know if you have further questions or comments. Thanks for your support.

Best wishes,

Jennifer Sipes
Operations Director
Central Asia Institute

This organization has built hundreds of schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan for children who otherwise would have had no opportunity to better themselves and help improve their communities. To learn more of this truly worthwhile organization visit their web site at www.ikat.org and www.penniesforpeace.org

Incredible organization with amazing leadership, impact, focus. I've read both the books, heard its founder speak, and am starting this year to make an annual donation. I've also given his books to others. His way is so much better than going to war. I wish we were doing what he is doing everywhere we are using guns instead of diplomacy and time/money/goods to improve the status of people who have far less than we do.

Read the books: Three Cups of Tea and Stones into Schools! Our top military have read the books and learned a lot about community building among the Mujahideen and even the Taliban. One must sit down with the community leaders to make permanent progress. Support Greg and his dirty dozen, because the other NGO's and the corrupt governments in Afghanistan and Pakistan can't do the job.

This organization has really hit on the BEST way to reduce terrorism and improve the lives of people in poor areas -- it builds sustainable schools that educate girls. Girls stick with their community and build families and communities. Education allows democracies to grow and countries to prosper. Prosperous communities don't breed terrorists, they breed citizens.