A Visit to Chitral with the Helping Hand Ladies Group of Dallas
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Last month, I had the privilege of traveling to Upper and Lower Chitral, Pakistan with eight members of the Helping Hand Ladies Group of Dallas. Together, we experienced firsthand the educational initiatives supported by Worldwide Education Foundation (WEF), USA and Worldwide Education Fund (WEFC), Canada, implemented in partnership with Foundation to Empower Students (FES), in Pakistan. From engaging with young children in Bright Beginnings: Early Childhood Learning Centers (ECLCs) to visiting government schools, meeting families and local teams, and exploring educational partnerships at the University of Chitral, the visit brought the people and purpose behind WEF and WEFC's work into focus.
A Growing Network of Educational Opportunities
WEF and WEFC's Bright Beginnings initiative continues to expand its reach across Chitral. 100 Bright Beginnings ECLCs are operational, providing community-based early learning opportunities for young children. Building on this progress, we are on track to establish 100 additional ECLCs by April 2027, extending access to early childhood education in more underserved communities. 200 centers will educate 6,000 3–5-year-old students and provide income opportunities to 200 women educators and 200 teaching assistants. This expansion reflects our long-term commitment to reaching more children and strengthening the foundations of their educational journeys.
During our visit, we also met a family whose child attends one of the learning centers. That moment connected the classroom experience with the families and communities at the heart of this work. Meeting families helps us understand the human side of education: the children in our programs, the households that support their learning, and the communities we serve.
A Visit Worth Remembering
This journey brought the Helping Hand ladies and me closer to the children, families, educators, teams, and institutional partners connected to WEF's work. We saw the progress taking place across the region, from the growing network of Bright Beginnings ECLCs to school-based initiatives and university partnerships. For our supporters, I hope this offers a window into the work on the ground. It connects the figures and updates in our reports with the real educational settings and people behind them.
Our Friends At Helping Hands
Thank you for traveling so far, for listening, and for standing with the children of Chitral. Your presence meant as much as your generosity. Your support brings early learning to children who need it most.