We are raising money for the Tajikistan Students Fund, which is founded and managed by Dr. Robert Middleton. Dr. Middleton has spent much time in the remote areas through which we will travel. He is an expert on the region and knows its people as well as anyone. He wrote the most comprehensive guidebook, “Tajikistan and the High Pamirs”, which we read in advance of our journey. Many details of our trip, and much of our confidence, is owed to him. You can visit his website at www.pamirs.org to learn more about what we are up against.

His fund is designed to help meet the very specific needs of bright students from remote areas who have difficulty beginning and/or continuing their studies. There are not many people doing what he does and not many agencies still working in the GBAO. Also, there are not many people in the world who are as passionate in their service, whatever it may be, as Dr. Middleton. He also works closely with the Aga Khan Foundation, where he served for many years as a legal advisor. AKF is by far the largest charity in the region, and candidates to receive TSF funds are personally recommended to Dr. Middleton by it’s CEO.

Please donate to Dr. Middleton’s cause (and ours, now) through this website. 70% of Tajikistan manages to live on fewer than $2/day. Higher education remains out of reach for far too many of its capable young people.