Reading as a way of opening a dialogue

It is hoped that the Douglas County Reads community reading project will encourage discussion of important topics beyond the scope of most of our day-to-day lives. In that regard, "Three Cups of Tea" is an exceptional choice of books. In addition, it comes in three different editions: standard, young reader's, and a children's book (called "Listen to the Wind").

For those not familiar with the book, here is a brief summary: American mountaineer Greg Mortenson was returning from attempting to climb K2, the second highest peak in the world, in Pakistan's Karakorum Range. On the way out he got lost, and had to spend the night out at over 10,000 feet without even a sleeping bag. The next day he stumbled into the remote village of Korphe, where they generously fed him, housed him, and nursed him back to health.

One day Mortenson asked to see the local school. The village elder took him to the edge of the village, where he found 82 children kneeling on the frosty ground, doing their studies, mostly by drawing in the dirt with sticks. There was not even a teacher there, since they had to share their teacher with the neighboring village. That evening Mortenson promised to build them a school.

"Three Cups of Tea" is the inspiring story of Mortenson's determination to do just that. Upon returning to the U.S., he started to raise funds to build the school, and later founded the Central Asia Institute. Not only did he build a school for the village of Korphe, as promised, but his institute has now built over 130 schools in the farthest reaches of both Pakistan and Afghanistan.

This book has been a best seller for years, and has sold more than three million copies. It has been used as a community reading project in many towns throughout the country. Carson City has an ongoing two-month series of events around the book, including a sold-out talk by the author on March 9.

Tom Brokaw, CAI's first contributor, has said of the book: "Thrilling proof that one ordinary person, with the right combination of character and determination, really can change the world."

The book is also required reading for all senior American officers serving in the region. Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has said: "What Greg understands better than most ... is the simple truth that all of us are better off when all of us have the opportunity to learn, especially our children. By helping them learn and grow, he's shaping the very future of a region and giving hope to an entire generation."

There are several valuable lessons to be learned from this book. First is the value of education as the fundamental tool for insuring more options and a brighter economic future. Second is the importance of equal opportunity, especially in education, for young girls. While we take this for granted in our country, girls are often denied this fundamental right in many countries. The schools that CAI has built have 58,000 students, and 40,000 of them are girls. The desire for education in this part of the world is quite remarkable.

Third is the value of tolerance, understanding, and respect for other peoples, cultures and religions. The U.S. military embraces the concept that in order to have a lasting peace in that part of the world, that we need to win the "hearts and minds" of the local people. That is why the sub-title of the book is "One Man's Mission to Promote Peace...One School at a Time."

Douglas County Reads, with a generous donation from the Angwin Family Foundation, has purchased 800 copies of the book (in all three editions). We have donated 600 of the books to all of the public schools in Douglas County, including China Springs and both schools at the Lake. We have also donated 200 copies to the DC Public Library, available to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis. The bookplate inside simply states: "Please read, enjoy, discuss and pass on to someone else or return to the library."

The Angwin Family Foundation is a locally-based non-profit, focusing on education and children, particularly through the use of horses. Their mission directly correlates to the philosophy reflected in Three Cups of Tea. It is also the foundation's belief that by helping others, you not only enrich their lives, but also your own, while creating a stronger, healthier sense of community.

"Douglas County Reads" is planning two events in the near future. On April 7 there will be a slide presentation of the first descent (by raft) of Pakistan's mighty Indus River. The Indus is the lifeblood of Pakistan, and the raft trip passed through the Baltistan region where much of the book's action takes place. This event will be at the Carson Valley Arts Council, 1527 Highway 395, Minden.

The second event will be a book club-type discussion of Three Cups of Tea at the Public Library in Minden on April 14. Both events start at 7 p.m., and are free and open to the public. We hope you will attend.

Barbara and Jim Slade are Douglas County Reads co-chairs