My driver, helper and protector in Islamabad is Suleman Minhas, the Operation Manager of the Central Asia Institute, run by Greg Mortensen, the author of the longrunning bestseller, Three Cups of Tea.

Greg has built 78 girls schools in Pakistan and 25 in Afghanistan. His book details his rescue by Pakistani villagers from a mountain climbing accident on K-2 nearly two decades ago, after which he pledged to return to the remote mountainous area and build the village a school. On one of his early visits, Greg met Suleiman, who was then driving a taxi, but became inspired by Greg's idea and has been working with him every since. Now Suleiman makes all arrangements for Greg's visits and the visits of board members and others who work with the project.

Since then, he started the foundation and has built schools with a fraction of the money that would be expended by aid agencies, using local labor from villagers who want their children to be educated. With the earnings from his book and speaking engagements, he also pays for teachers and teacher training, until the local government is willing or able to take on that responsibility.

In 2007 I travelled with Greg and Suleiman to Pakistani Kashmir to visit schools they had rebuilt after the earthquake there. This year I'm lucky to have Suleiman helping to make my arrangements in Pakistan. 

Anyone who wants to know more about the Central Asia Institute, or to make a contribution, can go to www.ikat.org.