Wow! If you haven't already read it, go pick up the book Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen. After failing to summit the world's 2nd tallest mountain 17 years ago, he was nursed back to health by the villagers of Korphe, a village in the neglected and remote region of Baltistan, Pakistan. He made a promise to the young girls that he would come back and build a school. 17 years later, the Central Asian Institute that Greg Mortenson founded has established 131 schools with an emphasis on girls' education in Pakistan and Afghanistan. About 4000 of us gathered today in the basketball pavilion of the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley to hear his inspirational story. The quote that stuck with me was, "If you educate a man, you educate an individual. If you educate a girl, you educate a community." That really reminded me of the deep sense of connection women bring to nurture life and health. He certainly values education for everyone, but especially believes that the lifeline to promoting peace particularly in that conflict ridden and poverty stricken part of the world is to teach women to read. Women who are educated will less likely bless their sons joining extremist groups, public health will improve, and women will contribute to their communities in ways that will positively impact society. It wasn't terribly directed at US military involvement in that region, although his book is now mandatory reading for all troops in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He ended his lecture with another quote that he attributed to MLK, Jr..."If the world were to end tomorrow, I would still plant my seed today." It is pretty amazing what one person can do! It was a good part of our day that left quite an impression.
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