One of my bookworm friends ask me to recommend me a book yesterday. She was exasperated when again I recommended "Stones into School" that is written by Greg Mortenson. I must have recommended this book at least three times to her but she has yet to read it.
Most people may have heard of "Three Cups of Tea", the book written earlier by the same author that took US by storm. It became a bestseller and brought instant publicity for the author's cause - Bringing education to the girls in Central Asia. It is a much better way to fight terrorism though through arms.
While many people thought the earlier book was better, personally, I like this book more. Stones into School I feel give the much deserved credit to the local people. Their bravery, courage and solitude in forging ahead for the future of the girls are indeed admirable. They are the heroes for believing in the cause and willingness to brave their own safety in order to bring the projects to fruition. I am also inspired by the foresight of the village heads & elders who sincerely believe that there is a place for a school that includes girls. There is so much hope around and the local go through great lengths of hardships to overcome physical and financial difficulties.
I am also very encourged that there are people like Greg who recognises and groom the talented local people. Often, aid agencies employ foreign expensive experts who have no real local knowledge on the grounds working on development issue on the basis that they are educated while the locals are not. I am not so sure whether this is always true. Equipped with the right information, the locals can perform the work too and with the advantage of local knowledge.
Most people may have heard of "Three Cups of Tea", the book written earlier by the same author that took US by storm. It became a bestseller and brought instant publicity for the author's cause - Bringing education to the girls in Central Asia. It is a much better way to fight terrorism though through arms.
While many people thought the earlier book was better, personally, I like this book more. Stones into School I feel give the much deserved credit to the local people. Their bravery, courage and solitude in forging ahead for the future of the girls are indeed admirable. They are the heroes for believing in the cause and willingness to brave their own safety in order to bring the projects to fruition. I am also inspired by the foresight of the village heads & elders who sincerely believe that there is a place for a school that includes girls. There is so much hope around and the local go through great lengths of hardships to overcome physical and financial difficulties.
I am also very encourged that there are people like Greg who recognises and groom the talented local people. Often, aid agencies employ foreign expensive experts who have no real local knowledge on the grounds working on development issue on the basis that they are educated while the locals are not. I am not so sure whether this is always true. Equipped with the right information, the locals can perform the work too and with the advantage of local knowledge.
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