What have I done to better another’s life? While recently reading through Stones Into Schools by Greg Mortenson, I could not resist the urge to ask myself this question…throughout the entire book. The man has assisted in the building of over 150 schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan with the help of the non-profit he co-founded, Central Asia Institute. For anyone who has read Three Cups of Tea (Now required reading for officers going through the counterinsurgency program at the Pentagon), you know that Mortenson virtually stumbled upon this endeavor back in the 1990’s when he came upon a village that cared for him after losing his way coming down from K2. He told the village he would come back and build them a school. And he did. Very few people would make such a promise, let alone actually execute it. Often times I feel that if I am unable to assist someone in need, in the moment, I am useless. In this narrative, we see just how useful one can be even delaying immediate philanthropic gratification.
While the book was a great read and incredibly insightful to the people and region, what I found most compelling was the Acknowledgements. Although inspiring to any aspiring philanthropist, it was effective in bringing one back to reality with regard to the sacrifice he and his family made. In an age where everyone is trying to figure out what to do with their lives and what their purpose is, it makes me question: What is more important, to be interesting or to be interested?
