DIL signed a three-year contract with Khwendo Kor (KK), on September 1, 2001 with the objective of opening 40 non-formal girls' schools in Dir, situated in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan.

Tribal customs and traditions in Dir render the society extremely conservative, and living conditions of the local women are abysmal due to illiteracy and poor health. The difficult mountainous terrain and lack of proper roads make the work of the DIL-KK staff even more challenging. Representatives of DIL visit Dir regularly and hold meetings with the KK staff to further the cause of literacy and to try and improve the future prospects of the most deprived women and girls of that area.

DIL received funding for this project from NetAid, an independent nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation with headquarters in New York . NetAid funded the entire project for a period of one year. Currently, the project is being supported by individual donors.

Teachers have been undergoing regular training since the inception of the project. Village education committees have been set up for all the schools and have been trained so that they can contribute effectively towards the betterment of the schools. Furniture, books, teaching aids, etc have been provided to all the schools.

KK is working constantly to mobilize government support for the DIL project and to work out the modalities for the handing over of the DIL schools to the government after DIL support comes to an end. On April 15 th , 2004 three DIL schools were officially handed over to the Elementary Education Foundation (EEF). The government is also interested in taking over eight DIL Schools in Upper Dir.

DIL is very pleased with the progress of the schools and is currently planning to open secondary schools in Dir.

About KK

Khwendo Kor is a non-profit, non-government organization striving for the uplift of women and children in rural, underdeveloped areas of NWFP. Khwendo Kor is a Pushto word meaning "Sisters Home". The organization was formed in February 1993 and is registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860. KK has also been working with the deprived communities of Peshawar , Karak and Dir to promote micro-economic activities for women and to improve mother and child health care.