I just finished reading the book "Three Cups of Tea" last night. I feel like I've been devouring it since opening it for the first time. This book is incredibly inspiring, so interesting, the kind of story that I want to hear more of and be a part of.
This is the story of Greg Mortenson, an avid climber who attemped to climb K2, the second highest mountain in the world, but failed. He got lost on his way down the mountain and stumbled on the village of Korphe. The people of this village had never met an American before and very quickly they were Greg's best friend. One day Greg asked to see where the children went to school. Haji Ali, the village chief, took him up above the village where dozens of children, teacherless, with sticks in hand were practicing math in the dirt. The village could only afford a teacher 3 days a week, so on the off days the children practiced by themselves. He was so overcome by their hunger for education and determination to learn in the midst of the cold weather and no school supplies. He learned there was virtually no government funding for such small villages and the only other option for education was madrassas, the Muslim schools that are often known as extremists and tied to terrorist activities. He promised the village that he would do whatever it took to build them a school. Long story short, he got the $12,000 to build them a school and through the process realized that the way to fight terrorism was not through guns and bombs and military might, but rather through educating the next generation. So that's what he set out to do. Not only has he helped to build over 100 schools for women and children, especially girls, he's figured out the one way to ensure a future of peace for Pakistan and Afghanistan.
His story is so crazy and intriguing because he was building these schools in the build up and aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. He had tea with the Taliban and was even kidnapped at one point but set free. He has risked his life in a way that I can't even imagine.
I recommend this read to everyone. It truly is amazing what one man can do. The sacrafices his wife and children have made are staggering, all for poor nobody's half way across the world.
