3 Cups of Tea

Three Cups of Tea is a book by Greg Mortenson and David Relin. It describes Mortenson's transition from a mountaineer to a person committed to reducing poverty and educating children in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The book's title comes from a Balti proverb: "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...". The book is a marvellous, inspiring and uplifting read that I strongly recommend you to.

In 1992, Greg Mortenson attempted to climb K2, the world's second highest mountain, in northern Pakistan. After more than 70 days on the mountain, Greg and three other climbers had their ascent interrupted by the need to rescue one of their tea.m who was suffering from altitude sickness Greg got disorientated and lost during the descent, became weak and exhausted, and by chance and alone, instead of arriving where his porters were waiting for him, he came across Korphe, a small remote village. There he was greeted and taken in by the people of Korphe and its chief - Haji Ali.

To repay the impoverished community for its hospitality, Mortenson promised to build a school for the village. After lengthy difficulties in trying to raise capital, Mortenson was introduced to Jean Hoerni, a Silicon Valley pioneer who donated the money that Mortenson needed for his school. In the last months of Hoerni's life (Hoerni was dying from leukemia), he co-founded the Central Asia Institute, endowing the CAI to build schools in rural Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Mortenson faced many daunting challenges in his quest to raise funds for the building of more schools, including death threats from a mullah, long periods of separation from his family, and being kidnapped by Waziri tribesmen. As violence raged in Afghanistan and more and more young people came under the influence of the madrassas, Mortensen emphasised that education was the key to lasting peace – books not bombs was his mantra!

In the post-9/11 world, Mortenson tried to convince Americans that extending the hand of friendship and fighting ignorance by educating people was the best way to eradicate extremism. The people of northern Pakistan were convinced by him, though some Americans took a lot more persuading, feeling that all Muslims were enemies of the USA. 'Dr Greg', as he became known in the region realised that educated rural boys tended to move to the cities to find jobs, and seldom returned to their villages. By contrast, educated girls tended to remain in the community and pass their enhanced knowledge to the next generation.

The story is heart-warming and as much a tribute to the generosity of spirit of the tribal people of northern Pakistan as it is to Greg Mortensen. Three Cups of Tea – read it!