The journey to the Pamir mountains is really dangerous. There are steep paths and the risk of landslides. The shepherdesses have to whistle and shout at their animals to keep them on the narrow paths. In the past, lots of shepherdesses would make this trip every summer, but now it takes five days instead of three. The older shepherdesses are always ahead because they're used to the high altitude.

The shepherdesses remember how hard things were in the past. They didn't have proper clothes or shoes for the journey. They used to wear simple robes and walk on ice without shoes. They also faced personal challenges, like not having healthcare in the mountains and losing children. But even with all these problems, they became successful businesswomen. They collect milk from their animals and make dairy products, which they trade for things they need.

The women's shepherding and the men's farming have made a big difference in the community. The money the shepherdesses make helped build the only road out of the valley, which made it easier to get healthcare, education, and new opportunities. The younger generation has taken advantage of these opportunities by going to school and starting businesses in tourism and hospitality.

Even though the shepherdesses are proud of what their children have achieved, they're sad that they can't make the trips to the mountains anymore. Being a shepherdess means a lot more to them than just having a job. It's a strong connection to the land and a special part of their heritage. One of the shepherdesses even wants to be buried next to her children in the mountains, showing how much the land means to them.

The story of the Wakhi shepherdesses shows us a unique and disappearing way of life in the mountains of Pakistan. They've faced a lot of challenges, but they've worked hard and helped their community. Their story teaches us about the difficulties that rural communities face when things change and become more modern.

Original news source: The last of their kind: The unique life of Pakistan's Wakhi shepherdesses (BBC)

– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a few minutes to read the article. Then, have them summarize the main points of the article in a news report format. Each group must present their summary to the rest of the class.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Write a series of statements related to the article on the board. For example, "The shepherdesses' way of life should be preserved" or "Modernization is more important than preserving traditional lifestyles." Have students stand on opposite sides of the room to indicate whether they agree or disagree with each statement. Give them a few minutes to discuss their opinions in pairs or small groups. Then, conduct a class poll by calling out each statement and asking students to raise their hands if they agree or disagree.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a set of vocabulary words related to the article. One student from each group must draw a picture to represent each word while the other students in the group guess the word. The group that guesses the most words correctly wins.
– Speed Summarizing
Instructions: Write a series of key words or phrases from the article on the board. Divide the class into pairs. One student from each pair must summarize the article using as many of the key words or phrases as possible in one minute. After one minute, the pairs switch roles. The pair with the most accurate and comprehensive summary wins.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups. Assign one group to argue the pros of preserving the shepherdesses' way of life and the other group to argue the cons. Give each group a few minutes to brainstorm their arguments. Then, have them take turns presenting their arguments to the class. Encourage students to use evidence from the article to support their points.

The Wakhi shepherdesses in ? have been really ? in their community for a long time. These women take their flocks of animals to the ? to graze, and the money they make helps their community with things like healthcare, education, and building things. But now, there are only seven shepherdesses left, and their way of life is dying out. BBC 100 Women went with them on one of their last trips to the mountains. The ? to the Pamir mountains is really dangerous. There are steep paths and the risk of landslides. The shepherdesses have to whistle and shout at their animals to keep them on the narrow ?. In the past, lots of shepherdesses would make this trip every summer, but now it takes five days instead of three. The older shepherdesses are always ahead because they're used to the high altitude. The shepherdesses remember how hard things were in the past. They didn't have proper clothes or ? for the journey. They used to wear simple robes and walk on ice without shoes. They also faced personal challenges, like not having healthcare in the mountains and losing children. But even with all these ?, they became successful businesswomen. They ? milk from their animals and make dairy products, which they trade for things they need. The women's shepherding and the men's farming have made a big difference in the ?. The money the shepherdesses make helped build the only road out of the valley, which made it easier to get healthcare, education, and new opportunities. The younger generation has taken advantage of these opportunities by going to school and starting businesses in tourism and ?. Even though the shepherdesses are proud of what their ? have ?, they're sad that they can't make the trips to the mountains anymore. Being a shepherdess means a lot more to them than just having a job. It's a strong ? to the land and a special part of their heritage. One of the ? even wants to be ? next to her children in the mountains, showing how much the land means to them. The story of the Wakhi shepherdesses shows us a unique and disappearing way of life in the mountains of Pakistan. They've faced a lot of challenges, but they've worked hard and ? their community. Their story teaches us about the difficulties that rural communities face when things change and become more modern.

1. What is a shepherdess?
2. How do the shepherdesses in Pakistan help their community?
3. How would you feel if your way of life was dying out?
4. Do you think it's important to preserve traditional ways of life? Why or why not?
5. What challenges do the shepherdesses face during their journey to the mountains?
6. How would you feel if you had to walk on ice without shoes?
7. Do you like the idea of being a shepherdess? Why or why not?
8. What impact have the shepherdesses and farmers had on their community?
9. How has the money earned by the shepherdesses helped their community?
10. Do you think education and new opportunities are important for rural communities? Why or why not?
11. How would you feel if you couldn't do something that was a special part of your heritage?
12. What does being a shepherdess mean to the women in the article?
13. Do you have a strong connection to the land where you live? Why or why not?
14. How do you think the younger generation can continue to honor their heritage while embracing modernity?
15. Why do you think it's important to learn about the difficulties faced by rural communities?

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