One.... at a Time

Greg Mortenson is the man on a mission to promote peace, one school at a time.

i borrowed this book Three Cups of Tea from the library and am very moved by this real life account.

My summary won't do any justice to this inspirational story that celebrates purpose and peace. You've got to read it for yourself :)

In 1993, G.M. was a mountaineer on a mission to scale K2, the second highest peak in the world. It was a failed attempt. He got lost on the descent and wandered into an impoverished Pakistani village. He was given the best care despite the villagers being so poor. When he saw that the children didn't have a proper school, he made a promise to the headman that he will return and build them a school.

Just reading how many obstacles he had to overcome to fulfill that rash promise (which he finally did in 1996), and the many other hardships along the way, can make you cry.

In 1996, he survived an eight day armed kidnapping by the Taliban in Pakistan’ Northwest Frontier Province tribal areas, escaped a 2003 firefight with feuding Afghan warlords by hiding for eight hours under putrid animal hides in a truck going to a leather-tanning factory. He has overcome fatwehs from enraged Islamic mullahs, endured CIA investigations, and also received threats from fellow Americans after 9/11, for helping Muslim children with education.

i did a check and it was reported at one of his websites that as at 2009,  G.M. has established 131 schools which provide education to over 58k children (mostly girls).

True, it's never only the numbers that impress and inspire, although they do tell the story of his determination over a long period of time. For me, it's the important lesson of taking one step at a time :)

Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace...One School at a Time

Peace and Hope Begin With Education: One Child At A Time