Three Cups of Tea

[botias]

I just finished the book, Three Cups of Tea the story of Greg Mortenson's quest to provide schools to the poor children of Pakistan and then Afghanistan. I'm sure I'm way behind the game and this is old news, but I highly recommend it. 'Dr. Greg' is not a polished speaker (or a doctor for that matter), but his story is amazing. This quote from an interview really struck me:

“The real reason that drives me is I've learned from Haji Ali who was tribal chief, or my father, and they all say we need to listen more, and so I try to listen, and I ask widows and women in rural areas in Pakistan, Afghanistan, 'What do you want? I want to help you, but what do you want?' And you'd think most women would say, 'I want a good husband, I want a big house, I want prosperity,' but most women tell me just two simple things: we don't want our babies to die, and we want our children to go to school, and of anything that really drives me, those are two things that keep me on.”

Comments

[prophecygirrl.livejournal.com]

God, that quote is like a physical punch to the gut. How lucky I am.

It sounds like an amazing book.

[botias.livejournal.com]

I KNOW. It really made me appreciate how lucky I am. Not just in my access to clean water and shelter, but also the precious knowledge I take for granted. Things like hygiene and germ theory and knowledge of other cultures and the wider world.

It really is an amazing book. Yes, it's got an important message, and tells of important work, but it also was very engaging and informative. I didn't want to put it down.

[empresspatti.livejournal.com]

i thought Three Cups of Tea was wonderful. It made me realize that I live like a God compared to so many people in the world, and take if for granted.

Then I read Half the Sky. http://www.halftheskymovement.org/

I think it should be required reading in high school - and maybe required reading for the entire world. I'd be interested in what you think...

[botias.livejournal.com]

Dude, I bathe in gallons and gallons of potable water that's kept heated at all times in case I might decide to indulge. I reasonably expect all three of my children to outlive me. It's crazy, crazy stuff.

Oooh, thanks for the recommendation. I've added it to my Amazon wishlist for the next time I can order enough to get free shipping. I'm not that rich. ;) I've been concerned, not to mention horrified, by what I've read about human trafficking to date. I'm very interested to read this.

[zanthinegirl.livejournal.com]

Isn't that book wonderful? It really changes how you view the world. I was lucky enough to hear him speak oh, 3-4 years ago. He actually came to my branch of the Seattle Public Library! He has a new book out I'm anxious to read.

I thought it was interesting that men and women often have such different priorities. I have a couple of friends who work for non-profits (World Vision, Gates Foundation) and a point they've both made is that investing money into specifically women's concerns like education and microfinance makes that donation go much farther in improving living conditions.

Of course, that may be why the taliban is trying so hard to blow up girls schools in that part of the world...

[botias.livejournal.com]

I am sad because he was in my neck of the woods a year ago and I missed it. I found out about the book because I stumbled across year-old media outreach for the event, and now that I've read the book, I'm quite bummed. But I've got his new book on the way! :) But, I forgot to order direct from the non-profit. :(

Yes, I've heard that too. Dear Menz, Why you be drinking and romping w/ exploited womenz instead of at home improving your communiteez??