Lessons Learned from "Three Cups"

Greg Mortenson, founder of the Central Asia Institute and co-author of the long-standing New York Times bestseller Three Cups of Tea, has received international praise for his work building schools in rural areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. According to the CAI website, the organization “has successfully established or significantly supported over 170 schools…which provide (or have provided) education to over 68,000 students, with an emphasis on girls’ education.” Mortenson and journalist David Oliver Relin outline Mortenson’s incredible journey in Three Cups of Tea, which is laced with invaluable lessons for anyone striving to accomplish aid work, especially in an international setting.

One of the main themes of the book is the significance of establishing substantial relationships with community members and leaders. Mortenson quickly learns that he cannot accomplish his goals unless he patiently listens to and respects the wishes of the local people, rather than imposing his own external perspective. In the book, Mortenson quotes Korphe community leader Haji Ali, who so eloquently verbalized this very lesson:

“If you want to thrive in Baltistan, you must respect our ways. The first time you share tea with a Balti, you are a stranger. The second time you take tea, you are an honored guest. The third time you share a cup of tea, you become family, and for our family, we are prepared to do anything, even die. Doctor Greg, you must take time to share three cups of tea. We may be uneducated but we are not stupid. We have lived and survived here for a long time.”

Additionally, the book illustrates how Mortenson oftentimes had to push his own boundaries to achieve a goal. Mortenson’s journey in establishing the CAI is full of trying new foods, sleeping in unfamiliar quarters, sitting through lengthy ceremonies, learning new languages, and being transported to mountain villages on dangerous roads. Mortenson’s ability to quickly adapt to cultural change is an invaluable tool in his international aid work and a major reason why he has accomplished so much.

There is no question that Greg Mortenson has helped thousands of children through the CAI. Recently, however, former CAI supporter and famed author Jon Krakauer has shined a not-so-admirable light on Mortenson as a leader and a philanthropist. In his e-book entitled Three Cups of Deceit, Krakauer exposes major falsehoods in the stories told in Three Cups of Tea and its sequel Stones into Schools. Additionally, Krakauer reveals many broken relationships among CAI personnel that have resulted from Mortenson’s alleged manipulative personality and poor managerial skills. Krakauer goes on to claim that Mortenson has used CAI funds to promote the sale of his books, which has fostered his personal multi-million dollar wealth. Audits of the CAI’s finances show blatantly irresponsible spending that has occurred under Mortenson’s supervision.

In general, Krakauer presents strong evidence that Mortenson became carried away in his successes and shifted his focus from promoting education and peace to promoting himself. As disheartening as this disillusioned view of Greg Mortenson is, there are significant lessons to be gained from Mortenson’s mistakes. First, in establishing a successful, productive non-profit organization, delegation is essential. An organization cannot stay afloat through the work of one person alone (or even a few people). Second, every expenditure and project must be documented in detail in order to maintain proper management of donors’ funds and to effectively accomplish goals. Without documentation, an organization lacks credibility. Third, and perhaps most significant, the focus must always remain on the cause rather than on the benefits to any individual within the organization.

Links:
Central Asia Institute: https://www.ikat.org/
Three Cups of Tea: http://www.threecupsoftea.com/
About Jon Krakauer (Wikipedia): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Krakauer
CBS's 60 Minutes story on accusations against Mortenson: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/04/15/60minutes/main20054397_page2.shtml
NYT columnist and Half the Sky co-author Nicholas D. Kristof on accusations against Mortenson: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/21/opinion/21kristof.html

Welcome to our new blog!

Thanks for visiting our new blog! Our goal is to post updates on our projects and our plans for next year's trip to Peru. Currently, we are drafting a 2011 trip report that summarizes our work in the clinic this spring alongside Pan Peru, a Lima-based non-profit organization. The report will be posted to the blog upon completion. In the mean time, here are some of the most recent pictures of us in Pampas Grande. 

MCV student Sid Dante standing with Pan Peru dental volunteer Erika Soria outside the Pampas Grande Clinic

Richmond healthcare lawyer Sean Byrne, donating books to the Pampas Grande Library

 Nurse practitioner Julie Armistead, taking patient history in Shancac, a town near Pampas Grande

 UR junior Chelsea Safran and senior Blair Armistead, organizing the pharmacy in Shancac

Peruvians challenge the Americans in a game of futbol

Pediatrician Sean McKenna debriefing the group before a day in the clinic

The Pampas Grande schoolchildren waving goodbye to their American visitors