An American Educating Children Abroad

"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, and for our family, we are prepared to do anything, even die . . ."

This inspirational book written by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin about Greg Mortenson, a mountain climber who establishes schools in and around Pakistan, is in its 74th week on the NYTimes paperback bestseller list, often at the #1 slot. Coincidentally, he has worked tirelessly to established 74 schools. His primary objective is to educate girls. Here is a slideshow that will give an idea of the joy and pride Mortenson takes in his work with children.

My favorite quote in the book is where he opens chapter 4 with "Greatness is always built on this foundation: the ability to appear, speak, and act as the most common man." -Shams-ud-din Muhammed Hafiz. I believe this is the route to crippling classism.

Read Nicholas Kristof's recent op-ed piece, "It Takes a School, Not Missils," to gain an interesting insight on how to establish America's presence in a foreign country.