The book describes the multitude of obstacles Mortenson faced along the way. Back in the US, he was an RN, living in his car, so that he could save the money for these children. Each time he saved enough, he would go back, meeting new contacts, obtaining building materials, stumbling his way through the cultural differences. He survived an armed kidnapping and various death threats, but he continues in order to give better options to children who would likely be recruited by the Taliban. Many of the schools focus on girls, because history has shown that if boys are educated, they will move to more developed countries. Girls, on the other hand, will stay and use their education to better their homeland and pass the education on to others.
I was riveted to this story and I hear a movie is in the works. Through Mortenson, we discover the kindness of humanity from cultures usually depicted by our media as evil. We recognize the value of connecting with the people through sitting down and sharing tea. We are appalled when we find out how very little money it takes to build a school in comparison to the money it takes to fund a war.
After reading the last pages of this, all I could think about were the faces of these children.
This book also made me think about the real-life people that I do know. The people who continue to leap over amazing obstacles. The people who inspire me everyday and bring me back to this playground.
The women who suffer from an invisible disease, yet they rarely complain and they make us laugh daily with their unique views of life.
The woman who was dealt a completely unfair set of circumstances and was left homeless, yet now works her ass off to work in the system that screwed her over, so that she can make sure it comes out fair for others.
The woman who was abused as a child, but who does everything in her power to make sure her child is raised in a loving, nurturing environment.
The women who take over all the work in the household while their husbands heal from debilitating surgeries and the women facing the daily obstacles of raising children alone or raising children with disabilities.
The woman who helps take care of her ailing mother, while healing a broken heart.
The woman signing up for the Peace Corps to help others and the women signing up to walk a few days or run a marathon in order to find a cure.
Those of you faced with the obstacle of joblessness in a failing economy and those of you taking the risk to find a new path for yourselves.
Those of you dealing with the loss of a loved one while keeping it together for everyone else.
Those of you dealing with prejudice because of what you look like, where you came from or who you love.
Those of you who face everyday life with passion, searching for answers to the important questions.
Those of you willing to sit down with a friend and listen.
In Pakistan, they drink three cups of tea to do business; the first you are a stranger, the second you become a friend, and the third, you join the family. For their family, they are prepared to do anything.
Greg Mortenson goes through life prepared to do anything for those he’s never even met.
Go here for more information on the book and his foundation.
