Honouring the memory of a deceased sister landed Mortenson at the foot of king K2 (the second highest mountain) in northern Pakistan where a failed attempt and an injury led him to a small village at the foot of the mountain. Inspired by the hospitality of the simple village people and their simple life, Mortenson promised to build a school for the children of the village. After a year spent in collecting donations and resources, Mortenson returned to Khorpe to fulfill his promise and ended up building not one but more than 55 schools in the cold northern terrain of Pakistan. Building schools for children who have never seen a school is like fulfilling a dream of generations of people dwelling at the highest valleys of the world.
Mortenson's simple and straightforward approach towards building Khorpe School instills a new vision and a new hope in readers. As much as Central Asian Institute (CAI's) work is impressive, Mortenson's attitude towards fulfilling his first promise with the Khorpe people and transforming this single promise in to life long CAI's goal is deeply inspiring.
It is admiring to get a different glimpse of Afghanistan and the Afghan people. It is surprising to read that a country worst affected in the aftermath of 9/11 and the rough Afghans who have become accustomed to guns and fighting after living through decades of warfare could welcome a person from their 'enemy country' and support him with their lives.
In spite of all the criticisms and allegations that surrounds the book and its author, this book is worth reading especially with reference to the culture of education especially girls education in Pakistan...it describes the importance and the logic behind promoting girls education where educated boys move to cities for good jobs and educated girls remain inside home to nurture and polish lives of future generations...it will inspire you to redefine your attitude towards impoverished people...it will inspire you to reach out and make a difference into their lives.
"I hope that we each do our part to leave them (children of Pakistan and Afghanistan) a legacy of peace instead of the perpetual cycle of violence, war, terrorism, racism, exploitation, and bigotry that we have yet to conquer".