• Cup of Tea? 26th Mar 2011

  Personally, I am always more likely to read a book recommended by a trusted friend, as opposed to a book review in a newspaper or magazine.

  Liz, our web designer who is currently cycling from New Zealand to England with her partner Chris, pointed me in the direction of Three Cups of Tea. She assured me it’s an excellent read and she was right. In fact, so right I feel it’s only fair to share the recommendation.

  

  Three cups of Tea is an inspiring account of one man’s campaign to build schools in the most dangerous, remote reaches of Asia.

  In 1993 Greg Mortenson, a keen climber who had just attempted the ascent of K2 (the world’s second highest mountain in the Karakoram range) was recovering from the terrifying and disastrous climb in the Pakistani village of Korphe. Taken back by a group of children writing with sticks in the sand, he made a promise to help them build a school.

  

  K2, picture courtesy of Arshad

  From that rash, earnest promise grew one of the most incredible humanitarian campaigns of our generation – Greg’s one-man mission to counteract extremism by building schools, especially for girls, throughout the breeding ground of the Taliban.

  

  Greg and students from the Sitara school, Sarhad village, NE Afghanistan.

  David Oliver Relin, an award winning journalist, collaborated on this spellbinding account of Mortenson’s incredible accomplishments in a region where Americans are often feared and hated.

  In pursuit of his goal, Mortenson has survived kidnapping, fatwas issued by enraged mullahs, repeated death threats, and wrenching separations from his wife and children. But his success speaks for itself.

  Greg is the co-founder of the non-profit Central Asia Institute and founder of Pennies For Peace. At last count, his Central Asia Institute had built fifty-five schools.

  ‘Here we 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 our family, and for our family we are prepared to do anything – even die’ explains Haji Ali (Korphe Village Chief) in the book.

  Three Cups of Tea is at once an unforgettable adventure and the inspiring true story of how one man really is changing the world – one school at a time.
  By Rob
  
  

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