Stones Into Schools

1. Education is the most powerful weapon against extremism and poverty

"If you educate a boy, you educate an individual, but if you educate a girl, you educate a community."

Education transforms societies. In Afghanistan and Pakistan, where extremism and poverty are rampant, education offers hope for a better future. The Central Asia Institute (CAI) focuses on building schools and promoting literacy, especially for girls, in remote areas where no other educational opportunities exist. This approach not only provides knowledge but also:

• Reduces the appeal of extremist ideologies
• Improves economic prospects for individuals and communities
• Enhances health outcomes and reduces infant mortality
• Promotes peace and stability in conflict-prone regions

By prioritizing education, particularly for girls, societies can break the cycle of poverty and violence, creating a ripple effect that benefits entire communities for generations to come.

2. Building relationships is crucial for successful development work

"The solution to every problem, Haji Ali firmly believed, begins with drinking tea."

Relationships are the foundation of success. Mortenson's approach to development work emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with local communities. This philosophy, encapsulated in the concept of "Three Cups of Tea," involves:

• First cup: You're a stranger
• Second cup: You're a friend
• Third cup: You're family

By taking the time to listen, understand, and respect local customs and needs, Mortenson and his team were able to:

• Gain trust and cooperation from community leaders
• Ensure projects were tailored to local needs and cultures
• Navigate complex political and social landscapes
• Create sustainable, community-driven initiatives

This relationship-based approach proves far more effective than top-down development strategies, leading to long-lasting positive changes in the communities served.

3. Perseverance in the face of adversity leads to extraordinary achievements

"When it is dark enough, you can see the stars."

Overcoming obstacles is key to success. Mortenson's journey is marked by numerous challenges, from personal setbacks to logistical nightmares and cultural misunderstandings. However, his unwavering commitment to his mission enabled him to achieve remarkable results. Examples of perseverance include:

• Overcoming initial fundraising difficulties
• Navigating complex political situations in unstable regions
• Adapting to harsh geographical conditions to build schools
• Continuing work despite threats from extremist groups

This persistence not only led to the construction of numerous schools but also inspired others to join the cause, creating a ripple effect of positive change in some of the world's most challenging environments.

4. Empowering local communities ensures sustainable development

"The CAI staff features a mountaineering porter, an illiterate farmer who is the son of a Balti poet, a fellow who used to smuggle silk and plastic Chinese toys along the Karakoram Highway, a man who spent twenty-three years in a refugee camp, an ex-goatherd, and two former members of the Taliban."

Local expertise drives success. The CAI's approach to development emphasizes empowering local communities to take ownership of projects. This strategy involves:

• Hiring local staff with diverse backgrounds and experiences
• Involving community members in decision-making processes
• Training local teachers and administrators
• Encouraging community contributions (land, labor, materials)

By leveraging local knowledge and fostering a sense of ownership, the CAI ensures that:

• Projects are culturally appropriate and meet real needs
• Communities are invested in the long-term success of the schools
• Local capacity is built, reducing dependence on external aid
• Sustainable change is achieved, even in challenging environments

This approach contrasts with many traditional aid models and has proven highly effective in creating lasting impact.

5. Cultural understanding and respect are essential for effective aid work

"The first cup of tea you share with us, you are a stranger. The second cup, you are a friend. But with the third cup, you become family—and for our families we are willing to do anything, even die."

Cultural sensitivity is paramount. Mortenson's success in building schools in remote areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan is largely due to his deep respect for local cultures and traditions. Key aspects of this approach include:

• Learning local languages and customs
• Respecting religious beliefs and practices
• Adapting projects to fit local needs and preferences
• Building trust through patience and genuine interest in local people

By immersing himself in the cultures he sought to help, Mortenson was able to:

• Gain the trust and cooperation of community leaders
• Navigate complex social and political landscapes
• Avoid cultural misunderstandings that could derail projects
• Create sustainable solutions that were embraced by local communities

This cultural understanding proved crucial in overcoming obstacles and achieving lasting impact in regions often resistant to outside influence.

6. The power of one person's vision can inspire global change

"One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world."

Individual action sparks global impact. Greg Mortenson's journey from a failed K2 climb to building schools across Central Asia demonstrates the profound impact one person's vision can have. His story illustrates:

• The ripple effect of small actions
• The power of perseverance in the face of adversity
• How personal experiences can lead to global movements

Mortenson's work inspired:

• Thousands of volunteers and donors worldwide
• Changes in military strategy regarding development in conflict zones
• A shift in public perception about the importance of education in combating extremism

By sharing his story and vision, Mortenson mobilized a global community to support education in some of the world's most challenging regions, proving that one person's dedication can indeed change the world.

7. Education of girls is vital for societal progress and stability

"You can hand out condoms, drop bombs, build roads, or put in electricity, but until the girls are educated a society won't change."

Educating girls transforms societies. The CAI's focus on girls' education is based on the understanding that educated women have a disproportionate impact on community development. Benefits of girls' education include:

• Reduced infant and maternal mortality rates
• Improved family health and nutrition
• Increased economic productivity
• Lower birth rates and more sustainable population growth
• Greater resistance to extremist ideologies

By prioritizing girls' education, even in culturally conservative areas, the CAI has:

• Challenged traditional gender roles
• Empowered women to become community leaders
• Created role models for younger generations
• Fostered more stable and prosperous communities

This emphasis on girls' education has proven to be one of the most effective strategies for long-term societal development and stability.

8. Innovative solutions are necessary to overcome logistical challenges

"Sarfraz's strategy was clear: Having concluded that access to Bozai Gumbaz from any single direction was impossible, he had decided that the first school to grace the world's rooftop would be assembled by using all four points of the compass simultaneously."

Creativity conquers obstacles. Building schools in remote, often conflict-ridden areas presents numerous logistical challenges. The CAI's success is largely due to their innovative problem-solving approaches. Examples include:

• Using multiple transportation methods to deliver supplies (trucks, yaks, camels)
• Adapting construction techniques to local conditions and available materials
• Leveraging local knowledge and resources to overcome geographical challenges
• Employing diplomatic skills to navigate political and cultural obstacles

These innovative solutions allowed the CAI to:

• Build schools in areas previously deemed inaccessible
• Reduce costs and increase efficiency in project implementation
• Adapt quickly to changing circumstances and unexpected challenges
• Inspire local communities to find creative solutions to their own problems

By thinking outside the box, the CAI was able to achieve what many considered impossible, bringing education to some of the world's most remote regions.

9. Collaboration between diverse groups can yield remarkable results

"We cannot capture hearts and minds. We must engage them; we must listen to them, one heart and one mind at a time."

Unlikely partnerships drive progress. One of the most striking aspects of Mortenson's work is his ability to foster collaboration between diverse and often opposing groups. This approach led to unexpected alliances and results, including:

• Cooperation between former Taliban members and Western aid workers
• Partnerships between U.S. military personnel and local tribal leaders
• Collaboration between rival ethnic and religious groups for the common goal of education

These collaborations resulted in:

• Increased security and support for school projects
• Greater cultural understanding on all sides
• More effective and sustainable development initiatives
• A model for peace-building through shared goals

By bringing together diverse stakeholders, Mortenson demonstrated that common ground can be found even in the most unlikely circumstances, leading to transformative outcomes.

10. The importance of keeping promises and maintaining trust

"In the life of a person, there may come along the one opportunity that must be taken. When this opportunity arrives, you cannot let your concerns about yourself be a burden to your daughter, whom you love and for whom you want the best."

Trust is the foundation of change. Throughout his work, Mortenson emphasizes the critical importance of keeping promises and maintaining trust with local communities. This principle is exemplified by:

• His decade-long effort to fulfill a promise to build a school for the Kirghiz people
• Consistently following through on commitments, even in the face of significant obstacles
• Prioritizing long-term relationships over short-term gains

The impact of this commitment to trust includes:

• Strong, lasting relationships with local communities
• Increased community buy-in and support for projects
• Enhanced credibility for the CAI in challenging environments
• A model of integrity that inspired both local partners and global supporters

By consistently honoring his commitments, Mortenson built a foundation of trust that enabled the CAI to achieve remarkable results in some of the world's most challenging regions.

Last updated: December 13, 2024