Nobel Peace Prize nominee and bestselling author of Three Cups of Tea Greg Mortenson donated over 600 hardback copies of his newest book Stones into Schools to the STA community because of the passion he found in a conversation with one girl, STA sophomore Allison Fitts.
Having read Three Cups of Tea and having learned about Mortenson’s works through various teachers at STA, Fitts said Mortenson inspired her. She decided to attend Mortenson’s presentation about his new book at Unity Temple Dec. 17, before which she sent him a personal letter, outlining his impact on her life.
‘What he prevailed through is just so inspiring,’ Fitts said. ‘It shows how one person can make a difference.’Â
Both Three Cups of Tea and Stones into Schools discuss Mortenson’s personal struggles and triumphs after founding the Central Asia Institute to build schools and provide children in remote areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan with educations. So far, Mortenson and the Central Asia Institute have built over 130 schools to educate over 54,000 children.
When Fitts attended Mortenson’s presentation, she had no idea what was to come. In fact, she said, she was lucky to attend; she and her mom bought tickets 1250 and 1251 of the 1250 available tickets.
After the presentation, Fitts approached Mortenson, explaining to him how she learned about his story and how he had influenced her.
‘When I talked to him that night after the presentation, he said he would donate a few books to our school,’ Fitts said. ‘I had no idea everyone at STA would get one.’Â
According to Rainy Day Books representative Vivian Jennings, Fitts greatly impressed Mortenson because of her passion.
Because of Fitts’ interaction with Mortenson, Jennings appeared at STA Feb. 11 to present a copy of Mortenson’s new book to every STA student, staff and faculty member. She spoke to the students about Mortenson’s cause, emphasizing the importance of women’s education.
‘What [Mortenson] and Rainy Day Books hope is that girls will read books and appreciate education,’ Jennings said. ‘We want them to think that education is a gift and to learn to use that gift to make a difference in this community and beyond.’Â
Fitts hopes STA students will benefit from reading Mortenson’s books and learning about the causes of the Central Asia Institute.
‘I hope all the girls take time to read some’â€if not all’â€of his book and to be inspired by it and help his work by donating to the Central Asia Institute,” Fitts said.
Last year, STA’s World Cultures Club raised over $500 for the Central Asia Institute, but Fitts hopes STA can do more.
How you can help the Central Asia Institute, according to Ms. Vivian Jennings of Rainy Day Books:
‘For your birthday party, where you will get maybe $500 worth of things you don’t need, ask people to make contributions to Central Asia Institute, which will make a tremendous difference.’Â
‘Spread the word. Talk about what’s going on, and tell people how they can help out.’Â
‘Start thinking about what difference you are going to make in life, in the world. That would be okay, too. That’s progress.’Â
Visit the Central Asia Institute website for more information.
World Cultures Club moderator Denise Reuschhoff agrees because she believes Mortenson’s story has so much to offer.
“I really find him to be an extraordinary human being because the places he builds schools are in extremely volatile regions of the world,’ Reuschhoff said. ‘It amazes me that he’s able to do what he does.’Â
Reuschhoff hopes students can gain from learning about Greg Mortenson’s work and plans to raise money for the Central Asia Institute again.
For now, Fitts is incredibly appreciative of Mortenson’s donation to STA, which she hopes will inspire her peers. However, she thinks STA can go further to help the Central Asia Institute and make a difference.
“It only costs one dollar to educate one girl for one month over there,’ Fitts said. ‘I feel that by educating children who wouldn’t otherwise have the chance, the future of our world could be changed for the better.’Â
