Three cups of tea: Promoting Peace, one school at a time

Dear Readers,

I am currently reading, Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin.

Many of you may have already read this book. I have deliberately not blogged about it, in my book review blog, because this post is much more than a book review. It is an appeal to do whatever little you can towards making a better tomorrow.

For those who haven't read this book, it is an inspiring story of Greg Mortenson, mountaineer, he may not have conquered the K2 summit, but he has sure conquered a lot of hearts. Till date he has built more than 50 schools in the emote regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The first donation, was by way of pennies. Yes, you heard it right, pennies. An extract from the book: ... Mortenson got a letter from his mother. She explained that her students had spontaneously launched a "Pennies for Pakistan" drive. Filling two forty-gallon trash cans, they collected 62,345 pennies. When he deposited the cheque his mother sent for USD 623.45, Mortenson felt like his luck was finally changing. "Children had taken the first step towards buidling the school," Mortenson says. "And they did it with something that's basically worthless in our society - pennies. But overseas, pennies can move mountains."

Things began to fall in place, slowly but steadily, with Dr Jean Hoerni, pioneer in the field of semi-conductors chipping in with enormous funds and enthusiasm. Dr Hoerni left behind a legacy - schools that will help promote peace in this world. If you educate a girl, you do educate a community!

The going was not easy, for Mortenson, including a fatwa for bringing education to girl students, fortunately, higher scholars after vetting his intent, supported him and his initiatives. Rightly so, the book - Three Cups of Tea has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, 2009. Yes, every little penny also counts.

You can visit, the official website of Three Cups of Tea for reading much more about this initiative including articles (media coverage) and also to know how you can help. Whether by way of starting a Pennies for Peace campaign or making a donation to the Central Asia Institue, founded by Dr Hoerni to continue the good work.

Greg Mortenson's interview is here.

There is lots which you can do in your own community. Marianne, a blogger friend of mine, has worked in Afghanistan. She continues with her good work by creating awareness. Click here to learn what she recently did. Or look at what Robin has suggested. Incidentally Robin reached out when she heard of my story book collection drive and has promised to send across a few story books for the children of the Humane Touch Trust School.


Yes, making children aware of other cultures can go a long way in creating a better tomorrow.