Hope in the Hills

From just five girls to dozens, one educator changed attitudes and built a thriving school in South Kashmir.

- Dr. Mushtaq Rather

High on a hill in South Kashmir’s Shangus region, the government middle school here buzzes with a life that once seemed impossible.

In 2009, only five girls attended classes here. Dropouts were common. Families, struggling with poverty and illiteracy, often saw school as an optional burden.

Riyaz Ahmad Sheikh arrived that year.

A young teacher with resolve, he began walking through homes, talking to parents, and listening.

He asked why children, especially girls, were missing school.

Slowly, he built trust. And slowly, families began to see that education could matter.

Today, the school has 67 girls enrolled.

Riyaz’s efforts have shifted the village's attitude toward learning.

The young educator's approach extends beyond textbooks. He treats a school as a shared project, one that depends on teachers, parents, administrators, and local authorities.