I recently finished reading Greg Mortenson’s second book, Stones into Schools. Maybe you’ve heard about his efforts to build schools and support educational systems in Afghanistan and Pakistan, primarily in support of girls’ education. He’s moving through a period of controversy and criticism right now because of some suspicion that he’s overstated some of his achievements and, perhaps, even misused some of the funds his organization, the Central Asia Institute, has received as donations. Nonetheless, his writing is superb, extremely riveting, full of literary sketches and snapshots of the cultures of the region and generously peppered with tender stories of the relationships he’s developed and the lives he’s touched.
Mortenson is candid about the toll that his work has taken on his life – missing his kids’ first steps and some of their important milestones at school – and writes with passion and insight. I’m terribly sorry to read of his recent troubles, yet I respect his deep understanding of and clear vision for the role that basic education can play in achieving peace on the planet.
We can thank Greg Mortenson for reminding us that education of young women results in smaller, healthier and better educated families; that girls who stay in school marry later and have lower fertility rates; and that educating young girls contributes to a reduction in maternal mortality.
I hope that the criticism of Mortenson doesn’t overshadow the fundamental importance of his work.
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