The construction of the hostel in Skardu, the main town of Baltistan, was co-financed by Sternstunden e.V. of BR, the Bavarian radio and TV company. The project is a great success. The hostel was opened in 2016 and provides accommodation and food for girls from the mountain villages in the Braldo Valley and Shigar Valley. They attend a nearby school, the Fatima Jinnah Women’s College. Before the hostel’s opening, there were only a few girls in the approximately 20 villages of the Braldo Valley with secondary education. Over the years, countless residents of our hostel have successfully completed the 10th grade and gone on to college or university. Currently, 120 girls are accommodated. We would like to admit twice as many, as the demand is so high, but capacity is limited and, unfortunately, we have to turn away many applicants.

Surrounding the house is a large garden with many fruit trees, where the cook couple with the help of the girls grow vegetables. Thus a healthy, varied diet is guaranteed. For irrigation, we have installed a solar-powered system that pumps groundwater to the surface. Moreover, we have built a greenhouse so that the girls can have fresh vegetables in spring and autumn as well.

Front view of the girls’ hostel

Rear view with the large garden

The girls have to wear school uniform

Fatima Jinnah Women’s College in Skardu