Three Cups of Tea: Final Reflection

Greg Mortenson really, truly is a hero. He has risked life and limb for the children of Pakistan, and now Afghanistan. He has put the education of these children into the well-deserved perspective it should be in. In countries such as Pakistan and Afghanistan, the education of children is extremely important. It is as important as fighting terror with guns and artillery, maybe even more so. The work he has done in the Middle East has not only effected the people of those countries, but America, too. Mortenson's story really changed my view of the people in the Middle East. They aren't all Muslim extremists who desire nothing more than to bomb anything American. Many are very friendly, welcoming people who are in dire need of simple things such as clean, running water, electricity, and a solid education. I believe that more Americans need to hear Greg Mortenson's story. Although many people do know of the work he is doing, so many more need to hear what he has to say. Like Mortenson and several others, I also believe that a good education will solve many of the problems in that area of the world. Children are simply being brainwashed. This could so easily be prevented with a CAI-funded school.

Not only has Greg Mortenson risked his safety in foreign countries to promote his cause, but he has also given great personal sacrifice. He leaves his family for months on end to do his work. Even before he had a family, he barely had enough money to live by. What Mortenson has done with his life, from climbing mountains to being a nurse to helping the students in Pakistan and Afghanistan, is utterly amazing. It really shows that one person can make all the difference in the world. We need more role models like Greg Mortenson. His cause is admirable, and he has worked so very hard to accomplish what he believes in. He is much more worthy of admiration than any American celebrity. Kids today should aspire to do good things like he does. Actually, everyone should try to do accomplish things like Greg, although not necessarily to that scale. Simple donations to organizations like the CAI are a simple, but very worthwhile, gesture.

I thought Three Cups of Tea was an excellent book. It educated me on the Muslim culture and problems in the Middle East better than an text book ever could. Greg Mortenson has accomplished amazing things and I believe that everyone should hear his story. It helps people understand not only the importance of education, but how the people of those countries deserve our help. Americans tend to group everyone of Islamic descent as an extremist and that is simply unjust and ignorant. A majority of Muslims do not have bad intentions. Mortenson and Relin's novel sheds true light on what life is like over in Middle Eastern countries. The information and personal stories in this book are something that every American should know. His cause is something that every American should know. The world needs more Greg Mortensons. He is the epotime of a hero.

I must say though, I think they drank more than three cups of tea... : P

On a final note, I hope that we, as a class, can do something for the CAI.