One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time
"Failure is not falling down, it is staying down." I read that on the sign of a church a while back and it truly applies to Greg Mortenson. Greg failed to make it to his goal of reaching the summit of K2, the world's second tallest mountain.
He ended up lost, but it was while he was lost that he found his way. He stumbled upon a remote village in Pakistan, Korphe. The beautiful people he met set the course for how he would spend his life.
I built this lens to raise awareness to what Greg is accomplishing in Pakistan and Afghanistan in addition to donating all funds this lens generates to the Central Asia Institute (CAI) of which Greg Mortenson is the Executive Director.
Significance of the title - Three Cups of Tea
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.
Three Cups of Tea: A Review
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.
Enjoy this selection of tea
Obviously (due to the title) there is a lot of talk about drinking tea in Three Cups of Tea and I was always brewing up a pot when I read it.
Bigelow Green Tea, 40-Count Boxes (Pack of 6)
Sweet green tea is the beverage of choice at a lot of the meetings Greg had with locals in Pakistan.
Amazon Price: $16.37 (as of 10/07/2008)
Stash Premium Chai Spice Black Tea, Tea Bags, 20-Count Boxes (Pack of 6)
I love Chai tea. So good!
Amazon Price: $14.23 (as of 10/07/2008)
Chai Tea Latte Mix, Original, 8 ct.
This has a wonderful flavor that is very reminiscent of the kind of Chai Latte you would get at a coffee shop.
Amazon Price: (as of 10/07/2008)
Twinings English Breakfast Tea, Tea Bags, 50-Count Boxes (Pack of 6)
Ahh, my tea of choice. I love the flavor in Twinings English Breakfast Tea. Alas, I am out at the moment.
Amazon Price: $28.11 (as of 10/07/2008)
Share your thoughts on Three Cups of Tea and Greg Mortenson
Did you read Three Cups of Tea? What did you think? What are your thoughts on the work that Greg Mortenson is doing?
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aliandzain
Very inspiring book Posted September 08, 2008 |
listen ed to cd's...knew about the book...plan to suggest to the literature dept of my womans club that we read it this coming season and plan to have a raffle in december to raise funds for cai. willkeep out a jar to fill with pennies. sparta, n j.
Posted June 08, 2008
If you want to have an update since the book was published google Journey of Hope. It was published by a local journalist out of Bozeman, Mt. who went with Greg to the region! It's fabulous! Enjoy the further inspiration to help this education cause and road to peace.
Posted May 22, 2008
I loved this BOOK! if you open a suntrust account before May 15th they will donnate $100 to the organization of your choice. CIA always needs funds. Also, if you were inspired by this book, also check out Children of Brothels the book and HBO documentary. Spread kmowledge!!!!
Posted February 14, 2008
I am reading it now. I hope to have my students collect pennies for other schools. Great story! I can only hope to be so motivated.
Posted December 30, 2007
Use this link to purchase Three Cups of Tea
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.
Were you inspired by Three Cups of Tea?
Please Support the Work of the Central Asia Institute
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.
Your Support Goes a Long Way
"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.
Feed your need for tea
You can find some great deals on "all things tea" at eBay. The treasure trove awaits.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
The Butter Tea (paiyu cha) Recipe
Brew up a pot of green tea. Then add:
- Salt
- Baking soda
- Goat's milk
- Then a sliver of mar - aged rancid yak butter.
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.
Links for more information about the work still being done
- Central Asia Institute
- Central Asia Institute Mission:
To promote and provide community-based education and literacy programs, especially for girls, in remote mountain regions of Central Asia.
Why is Ikat used in our website www.ikat.org?
Ikat is the extraordinary silk fabric woven throughout Central Asia. Each strand is individually dyed, then woven into stunning, vibrant patterns which are recognized from village to village. The name Ikat symbolizes the strength, beauty and resilience of the Central Asia communities we serve. - Three Cups of Tea
- One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time
What people are saying about the book:
"Three Cups of Tea is one of the most remarkable adventure stories of our time. Greg Mortenson's dangerous and difficult quest to build schools in the wildest parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan is not only a thrilling read, it's proof that one ordinary person, with the right combination of character and determination, really can change the world."
-Tom Brokaw
"Greg Mortenson represents the best of America. He's my hero. And after you read Three Cups of Tea, he'll be your hero, too."
-U.S. Representative Mary Bono (R-Calif.) - Pennies For Peace
- Pennies For Peace is a program of the Central Asia Institute that educates American children about the world beyond their experience and shows them that they can make a positive impact on a global scale, one penny at a time.
- Greg Mortenson
- Greg Mortenson is the founder and Executive Director of nonprofit Central Asia Institute www.ikat.org. Since a 1993 climb on Pakistan's K2, he has dedicated his life to promote community-based education and literacy programs, especially for girls, in remote mountain regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Mortenson is also founder of Pennies For Peace www.penniesforpeace.org and co-author of New York Times best-seller, Three Cups of Tea.
