Three Cups of Tea

Haji Ali, the man who first welcomed Mortenson into Korphe, imparted this bit of wisdom to Greg.

The first time you share tea with a Balti, you are a stranger.

The second time you take tea, you are an honored guest.

The third time you share a cup of tea, you become family.

Wow. I just finished reading Three Cups of Tea this morning over a cup of coffee (ironic, isn't it?).

You can read all of the countless books of the 'war on terror' and they won't come close to the power of Greg Mortenson's hands-on experiences with the people in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Greg could have wallowed in a sea of self-pity after his failure to reach the summit of K2, the world's second tallest mountain.

He was dedicating his climb to the memory of his sister who had recently passed away which only made the despair of failure that much stronger. On his way back down the mountain he became lost and stumbled into the Pakistani village of Korphe who welcomed him in and took care of him.

After seeing the conditions the children in Korphe had for their schooling (out in the open with a part-time teacher) Mortenson became inspired to see that a school was built for both the boys and girls of Korphe. It was the least he could do to thank them for the hospitality they extended to him.

Little did he know how much that accidental visit would change the direction of his life.

Hushe School during construction
Image courtesy Greg Mortenson, Central Asia Institute.

Now it is 14 years and 50+ schools later. The Central Asia Institute (CAI) was formed by the late Jean Hoerni (the man who pledged the $12,000 to build the first school in Korphe) and made Greg its Executive Director in 1996.

It is the vision of Greg Mortenson and the CAI that by building schools and providing a balanced education instead of the extremist madrassa that produce terrorists.

He fights the war on terror with books rather than bombs and bullets.

This book is so amazing because it is true. If this were a work of fiction I am sure it might do okay in the sales department. The true story is what makes this a bestseller.

I give it 5 Stars. If you want to see the other side of what is happening in Pakistan and Afghanistan I strongly urge you to read Three Cups of Tea. It is a story that you can't help but feel good about.

I am not making any money off of this lens. Any funds this page generates are going straight to the Central Asia Institute (CAI) to help them build schools and educate children.

This link to purchase Three Cups of Tea on Amazon.com will generate up to 7% of the proceeds to the CAI. I just copied it from their website because I don't want any of the money that sales of the book will generate from this lens.

Purchase Three Cups of Tea

You can see in the figures above how little money it takes to educate children in Pakistan and Afghanistan. You can help in a few different ways.

Remember, if you purchase the book "Three Cups of Tea" through this link, the Central Asia Institute receives up to 7% of the proceeds.

You also can donate any of the following ways:
Online
By Mail
By Phone
Donate Stock

One of the biggest ways that you can help the Central Asia Institute build schools and help further the education of kids is by spreading the word. Recommend Three Cups of Tea to friends, coworkers, family, and anyone else who will listen to you.

Greg Mortenson began building schools on a tight budget and continues to keep costs as low as possible so he can do the most good with the fewest dollars.

"Image courtesy Greg Mortenson, Central Asia Institute."

Average Costs for Operating a School:

• $1 per month for 1 child's education


• $.01 to purchase 1 pencil


• $1 per day for 1 teacher's salary

I know it is an overblown expression, but -
Giving a child an education - PRICELESS.

When I first read that the tea Greg Mortenson was drinking in the village of Korphe was called Butter Tea I thought it sounded good. Then, I read what goes in it.

Brew up a pot of green tea. Then add:

1. Salt


2. Baking soda


3. Goat's milk


4. Then a sliver of mar - aged rancid yak butter.

For authentic butter tea, cook it in a teapot over a yak dung fire.

Our local library is hosting "A Taste of Central Asia" and I already confirmed with the librarian that Butter Tea will not be on the menu. Thank goodness, I am not yet ready to taste rancid yak butter.