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A global hero, education, and getting involved

As a writer and publisher, sometimes I run across a story that just knocks my socks off even when I’m not wearing any. That’s how I felt when I first heard about Greg Mortenson and his book Three Cups of Tea on NPR one crisp fall morning last year.

A self-absorbed mountain climber turned builder of co-ed and girl’s schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan in a time when antipathy between America and middle-Eastern countries has never been higher, Mortenson’s story is passionate, and utterly inspiring. His life has made a difference to countless thousands in the most isolated areas of the Balti, bringing the light of learning to peoples left in the dark even by their own governments.

What makes Greg Mortenson, as many of the Balti people call him, “a gift from Allah?” What makes him so effective in an area where USAID and other enormous government aid organizations fall so short? You might not get it if you just catch a quick interview with him, or merely read a few quotes. But if you read Three Cups of Tea the answer is plain to see: humbleness; respect; commitment to something larger than himself.

One of Morenson’s first acts, working in the Balti, was to don a simple mud-colored shalwar kamiz over his khaki pants and Nikis. He learned the language. He learned how the people prayed and carefully honored their rituals. He entered their windowless mud and stone-walled homes with respect. Seated on the ground around countless yak dung fires, he listened to what the nurmadhars, the elders, the farmers, the builders, and the women had to say. He drank endless cups of tea, no matter how rancid the yak butter swimming on the top. And when he said he would do something, he did it, no matter what the personal cost.

Since 1993, Mortenson has had two religious fatwas – basically Islamic religious cease and desist orders – issued against him by extremist mullahs who either wanted to keep schools exclusively for boys, or who feared education in any form, least they lose control over the local people. In both cases, upon deep scrutiny first by the Council of Ayatollahs and the second time by the Shariat, the highest Pakistani religious court and the highest court in the nation, they were overturned. Both times Mortenson’s work was extolled as being in the highest accord with the teachings of the Koran, which says all children are entitled to an education.

He has been kidnapped, pinned down under fire in border skirmishes, ordered home by his own country and investigated by same. Although his work, educating children, especially girls, has the direct and powerful impact of defusing terrorism in its very heartland, his life and the lives of his wife and children have been threatened by Christian Americans who say they want him to burn in hell for bringing aid to the enemy.

Mortenson is swift to say that such responses are the result of ignorance. And he’s right.

This is the ignorance that keeps neighbors and nations at each others throats. This is the ignorance that will destroy the planet unless it is healed. And it’s why I’m writing this editorial. I’m doing what I can to get viable information about Islam, about the mothers and fathers and children of Pakistan and Afghanistan, and about how terrorism can eliminated one school at a time.

It’s also why I’m going to recommend that the people who read this – if they feel so inclined - do whatever they can to get Mortenson’s information out to the American public. Tell a friend about his story. Support his work by buying Three Cups of Tea – it’s now out in soft cover. Read it and write editorials to your local papers. Loan the book to a neighbor. Give it to your child. Check out Pennies for Peace ( LINK TO STORY) and start a fund raising, educational campaign in your school or your community.

There are many things each of us can do to change lives and change the world - and it doesn’t matter whether it’s in big or small ways. It all counts. All we need to do is take heart, and with heart, take the first steps towards being the difference in the world.

Cate Montana
Publisher

  

From our readers

Dear Editor - I read and remember the ‘...preachy little piece...’ as a subscriber of The Gainesville Times from 1983 to 1997.   It was one of many inputs we had in deciding to eventually move to Colorado where we’ve lived in a totally off-the-grid solar home since June 1999.

I found the February issue’s cover story on solar power very apropos. I would add that another advantage of solar power, particularly when you don't ever need back-up ‘grid’ power, is that you always have power.  Solar power (with batteries) is always available. Our neighbors have called us and asked us to record a TV program.....because the local power company was down! Even with incentives solar power cannot be justified on a financial basis.....it’s just the “right thing to do!”

Keep up the good work.....
Lyle Latvala

Editor - Just when you think the words have fallen into an abyss, a reader surfaces from 2181 miles and 20 years away and actually remembers something you wrote because it was personally meaningful. I don’t think there’s happier feedback for any writer! Thanks Lyle – and thanks for the added nod for solar.

 

Dear Editor –

I’m an international management consultant working for the past 25 years creating sustainable healthy communities, so it was a great surprise to see this forthcoming article from Forbes. I thought your readers would enjoy knowing about it as well….

Sincerely, Bruce L. Erickson, Santa Barbara, CA

Editor – Thanks for sharing this Bruce!


Forbes Billionaires List Inspires Search for Real Richest People in America

As the 2007 World's Billionaires were revealed at Forbes.com, another list is in the making, The REAL Richest People making a difference. This inaugural list focuses on richness in giving with the aim of inspiring businesses and individuals to give their profits and their time.

Recipients will be selected not because of what they have or profit but because of what they give or what they do. "True richness comes from the love of giving back to society, and happens whether you make $10,000 or $10 million a year," says list founder Tim Richardson.

People who will be on the list, reflect the best about the joy of giving back; using their time and resources to make a difference in the world.

Nominees include a woman who has devoted her life to helping those suffering in war-torn countries, a man who was living in his car at age 18 but now is financially independent and working to eradicate poverty in the world, a twenty-something year old who founded an organization to educate children all over the world, a coffee company that uses its profits to help educate people in the coffee growing regions of the world, and a former Microsoft VP who is setting up libraries in remote villages all over the world.

Inspirational speaker Tim Richardson compiled the list and is working to get his message out to the business community as well as young people. Headsets.com (on the 2006 list of Inc. Magazine's fastest growing privately held companies in America ) is one of the corporate supporters of the 2007 list. Headsets founder Mike Faith is passionate about great service in his company and community. Faith is founder of reservedinners.com which raises money for charitable causes through dinners with international celebrities. Richardson is also working with Carol LaRue, a Rotary District Governor for 2008-09, and Dr. Susan Elkins, a District Governor of Interact. Their goal is to change the perception of what it means to be rich by sharing a new message of wealth with students. LaRue says, "Because wealth is defined in our culture by what you have, a project like this is important to teach young people the importance of giving. Our emerging leaders and current leaders in all walks of life need role models who believe like Tim - true wealth and richness come from giving."

Nominees will be accepted through the summer with the goal of announcing the 400 REAL Richest People in America as Forbes releases its Richest Americans list later this year.

This positive project aims to redefine richness and focus media attention on internal rather than external wealth. After all, Richardson says, "It's not about how good you are, it's about what good you do."

For more information: www.TheRichestPeopleinAmerica.com

 

Dear Editor –

What I've discovered is that all answers come only when you stop asking, talking, and thinking of questions. They come in the sanctity of stillness, and silence. The key to all things unknown is to stop thinking, and learn the beauty of listening without the limits of needing ears. The brain can only decode truths, it can't decide them, but... indeed desires to acquire them none the less.

Sincerely,
Kristina Wiles
Sinclairville, NY

 

Dear Editor: I just came across your wonderful website!  Wow!

My reason for writing is that I wanted to introduce myself and let you know about a wonderful non-profit organization that I am a Board Member of. It’s One Planet United. It is based in Coral Springs, Florida. We are only two years old and during that two years, we have grown more rapidly than ever expected. Essentially, we are a group of volunteers devoted to bring about the elimination of prejudice, intolerance and division, one community at a time. 

We've been incredibly successful in getting the word out and initiating several wonderful programs within our community. We are hoping to take the next step by branching out very soon.  For more information about our organization, please visit: www.opunited.org

Sandi L. King
Fort Lauderdale, FL

 

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Letters from our readers PLUS Editor Cate Montana talks about a global hero, education and getting involved.


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