Greg Mortenson, co-author of the bestseller Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace… One School at a Time, spent last Thursday on the Fort Lewis College campus. Three Cups of Tea is the College’s Common Reading Experience selection for the 2008-2009 academic year. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to see Mr. Mortenson speak--I was meeting with students in Fort Collins, Colo. In talking to FLC students who attended the event, they were impressed with Mr. Mortenson's committment and vision. Many students walked away feeling that they could make a difference--that it doesn't take an extraordinary individual to combat the problems in the world today. Mortenson reiterated the benefit of a global effort: "If we wanted to we could eradicate global illiteracy in 15 years," he said. "The price tag for that is $6 billion per year for 15 years - $90 billion dollars. It sounds like a lot of money, but it's only about $1 or $2 per child per month."
Mortenson's efforts over the past few years have focused on raising awareness for his Central Asia Institute. The Institute was co-founded by Mortenson in 1996 to help build schools and support other projects throughout Central Asia, namely in Afghanistan and Pakistan. To date, Mortenson has helped build over 60 schools in Central Asia. Due in part to Mortenson's efforts, today more than 6 million children in Afghanistan and Pakistan are pursuing an education as opposed to 800,000 children just a few years ago.
The Fort Lewis College Common Reading Experience began in 2006 with Folding Paper Cranes. Last year, students read Mountains Beyond Mountains. The Common Reading Experience provides an intellectually-engaging and community-building experience for our freshmen class. Each year's book is provided to new freshmen and is incorporated into all freshmen Rhetoric and Writing classes. Presentations by the authors, panel discussions, films and other events are arranged throughout the year to extend and complement the ideas presented in the book.
Have you read Three Cups of Tea? If so, post your thoughts on the book.
Or, if you have any suggestions for next year's Common Reading Experience, post your suggestions as well.
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2 comments:
Fortunately I was able to attend the event with Greg Mortenson. After reading "Three Cups" I was really looking forward to meeting Greg and hearing what more he had to say about his life and his works. I found the talk to be pretty amazing. Greg was very authentic in his presentation. You could really tell that he is just a regular guy who chose to get involved and help those around him. I particularly liked the quote that he used in explaining why a lot of the schools he builds are for girls; "when you educate a man you improve an individual, but when you educate a woman, you improve a community".
When I told some friends and family that I was going to hear Greg Mortenson talk, their reactions definately made me greatful to be at a school like Fort Lewis that makes these opportunities possible.
Hearing and meeting Greg Mortenson is something that I will remember for a long time to come.
Wow! This sounds like a neat program. I want to read this book now.
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