Heroes in my life are sometimes hard to find. I can think of a few, for example Olaus and Mari Murie, Bob Marshall, and of course Lance Mackey. These are my heros because they are tough and they loved Alaska for its’ wild qualities. Now that I have grown and have come to value compassion for others, I have found a new hero. My hero is Greg Mortenson. In 1993, Greg attempted to climb  K2 and failed. As he struggled down from the mountain without his gear and any food he stumbled into the Pakistan village of Korphe. This village was not his destination and was miles away from his fellow climbers that he was to meet. Yet, in this village he found people who took him in and provided him with food and warmth. Greg was deeply moved by the compassion of these people. Upon his stay with villagers he was amazed by the struggle the people endured and he noticed that there was no school, yet the children were so open and willing to learn. As he departed this village, to return the United States, he said to the village elders that he would come back and build a school. After struggling for two years to find funding for a school in Korphe he finally succeeded in finding $20,000. However, his return to the Pakistan mountain region was met with many difficulties and lessons about the region and the people. Due to Greg’s heroic efforts and will, he accomplished the building of his first school in Korphe. While he pursued the building of this school he was asked by other villages to build schools. It is important to note that these schools also allow girls to learn as well and boys, which has been an issue in some areas of the Pakistan. “As of 2008, Central Asia Institute has successfully established 64 schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan, which provide (or have provided) education to over 25,000 students, with a emphasis on girls’ education. A few additional projects have been in Mongolia (rural health education) and Kyrgyzstan (teacher training scholarships),”   Central Asia Institute Website. The book Three Cups of Tea is a about Greg’s struggle and success, it gives me more hope that our world can become a more compassionate, understanding, and peaceful place.

 If you do not wish to write about hero, then tell us what you like to be read at your eulogy or obituary.