Making a difference, and keeping soldiers safe

As you all know I am a supporter of the Central Asia Institute (CAI), a wonderful organizations that is changing the world, and doing it on a shoe string.

As you all also know, I am the mother of two Army solders. When I donate to CAI, I do so with the firm belief that I am taking a positive action that will keep my children safer, as well as other US soldiers.

For the past 15 years I have worked as a community organizer, and outreach specialist for the City of Portland. It has been clear to me from the beginning of our conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq that military force alone will never solve our problems. I feel strongly that self determination and strong, healthy communities are the answer. Thee Cups of Tea and Stones into Schools are books that follow the life of Greg Mortenson and his work in founding and establishing the CAI. They also chronicle the ongoing work they are doing. Their successes reinforce my belief that I have always been right about the power of community.

In 1993 Greg suffered a life changing failure. As a member of a mounteering team set to make the final assault on the summit of K2, he not only failed to reach his goal, he also failed in fulfilling a promise to leave a memento at the summit in honor of his sister who had recently passed away. Broken in spirit and depleted in body, he had to make his way down the mountain on foot with his guide. As he crossed the glacier, he became lost. Later, sick and at the end of his physical limits, he became separated from his guide and wandered into a very small village in northern Pakistan. He didn’t know where he was, or even who he was. For days this village that could barely feed and cloth itself cared for Greg and nursed him back to health.

From this monumental failure and seemingly divine intervention, Greg discovered his true calling, to build schools for girls in the most remote areas imaginable. His beginnings were rough and it took him years before he recognized the calling he had received. Now the CAI is building schools, literacy centers, water treatment systems, and good will all over Pakistan and Afghanistan. In areas where extremist madrasas have been the main source for education for young males of limited resource, and breading ground for Taliban and Al Quida, CAI is making a difference.

Before CAI will build a school the community must agree to several things, 1) that girls will be allowed to attend just as boys are. 2) that the village will donate the land, 3) that the village will be responsible for monitoring the construction. Together the CAI and the village become partners in the project. In the end the village owns the school, and as a community they are responsible for it’s success with support from CAI.

Greg’s books are required reading at the Pentagon and Special Forces training in counter insurgency classes. The U.S. military have been quick to see that bombs will not win a lasting peace, but education might. The militaries of the U.S., Pakistan, and Afghanistan, as well as local mujahidin leaders have become supporters of the work CAI does because they know how valuable it is.

If you are looking for a great gift to give, consider either Three Cups of Tea, or Stones into Schools, and if you are looking for a worthy organizations to donate to, consider the Central Asia Institute.