Once you have read The Earth is Flat, Mountains Beyond Mountains, Open Your Eyes: Extraordinary Experiences in Faraway Places, or Three Cups, please consider and respond to the following question.
Globalization has created a world in which people from around the globe are more connected - economically, politically, and culturally - than ever before. While some argue globalization brings trade to poor nations and information to people around the world, others feel globalization increases the disparity between rich and poor and threatens traditional cultures.
In light of this dichotomy, how does (said book) illustrate the interconnections among people with different cultural or economic backgrounds and how does it portray the power of the individual in an increasingly global environment?
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The story Three Cups of Tea illustrates that all people, regardless of culture, politics, economic status, or religion have the same basic needs. In this story, the basic needs highlighted most were a sense of community, and a desire for education and improvement in the welfare of the community. This is one of the great things about globalization. We, as a global community, are discovering all that we have in common with each other. Despite the surface differences between Greg Mortenson and the people of Korphe, Greg very easily became part of the Korphe community because he understood and could relate to their basic desires and needs. This story also illustrates the amazing impact that one person can have on an entire group. Greg Mortenson's worldly perspective and single-minded determination allowed him to change the course of the Korphe community forever. Greg knew that what he wanted to do was challenging, but not impossible. By the Korphe standards, building a school was completely out of reach. But, by Greg's standards, he knew that he could build a school and make an enormous impact in the lives of these people with a fairly modest amount of money. Greg Mortenson has fundamentally changed the course of the Korphe community, and their culture and perspective has been broadened. But is this change good or bad? It's hard to say. Change is inevitable. Certainly, globalization has negative effects. It is much easier in our modern, technological society for cultures/countries to impose their values and politics on other cultures/countries. But when the intentions and acts are meant to benefit everyone involved, like Greg Mortenson's, a person or a group can make a wonderfully positive impact on the world.
ReplyDelete"Three Cups of Tea" certainly illustrates the power that one person can have in this world. Greg Mortenson went far beyond helping the isolated people of Korphe to build a school. That may have been his original intention when he left Pakistan after his failed attempt at K2, but look at the ripples this one personal goal had for so many. Greg inspired hundreds of others to also lend a helping hand, both people abroad and in his own country. The Central Asia Institute was created because of him, and the work that was carried out by the CAI had far-reaching effects. I'll be honest, I thought Greg Mortenson seemed to be a bit... well, daft, I guess. He didn't exactly strike me as a brilliant man. What he did have was heart and the desire to help, and that is what mattered most.
ReplyDeleteSomething from "Three Cups of Tea" that highlights the interconnectedness of people from around the world is the idea that almost all people, regardless of culture or background, appreciate the value of education. Very few people, no matter where they were in the world, would say to Greg Mortenson, "No thanks, don't build a school here, we just don't want any education for our children." Long before Mortenson arrived on the scene, the children of Korphe were sitting in the snow, studying without a teacher because they understood the power of education. By helping to bring education to these villages, did Mortenson aid in ruining their cultures? If Greg Mortenson had come in insisting that the village of Korphe were going to have this school whether they liked it or not and it was going to teach exactly what he said it should, then I suppose the answer would be yes, and globalization would have been detrimental. However, this was not the case. The people of Korphe sought out Mortenson's help. He did not force it upon them; they wanted it. If they had turned Greg away the first time he returned to their village after making his promise to build a school, Mortenson would have gone, and that would have been the end of things. This is true of the other villages that were assisted through Mortenson's efforts- many of them sought Greg out themselves. This was globalization tempered by understanding and choice, and it makes all the difference. - Erin S.
Hi-
ReplyDeleteI read Leaving Microsoft to Change the World by John Wood. The book is about John Wood a high powered Microsoft Excutive living a jet set life style. He traveled the globe selling Microsoft to developing nations. John decided after a well deserved trip to Nepal that he was going to help bring books to the country. The decision to embark on this mission changes his entire life. Over whelmed and consumed by the need to help educate poor children, he decides to leave behind the fast track and start a non-profit called Books for Nepal, which eventually becomes Room to Read. The book chronicles his journey to develop his non-profit and educate the world's children.
This book helps illustrate that globalization can bring about a world of change especially in developing nations. The money raised by John Wood helps to create libraries and schools in countries where there are no books for children. In the case of John Wood, he is helping to to battle illiteracy and bring about change. A primary goal of Room to Read is to help educate women who then can help educate their own children. People who are educated then have opportunities to better themselves and over come poverty.
In world of globalization this book is a wonderful read that helps to highlight the power of the individual. John Wood started with a simple e-mail and it changed his life forever. He didn't know how he would ever accomplish his goal, but he moved forward and end up being more than sucessful! This book is a wonderful read and a far more compelling story than I had imagined. A great story that is truly inspiring!- Jenn Kaefer
I am still in the process of reading Mountains Beyond Mountains. (It's a LONG book so I am not finished yet-but I am enjoying it!) This is a story about a Haitian man who works at Boston Children's Hospital 6 months of the year and works at home in Haiti the other 6 months of the year. This man is well loved and respected in both environments, but the struggles he faces in each place are entirely different. Singlehandedly, Farmer (the doctor) is trying the enrich the medical environment in Haiti and take his knowledge and tools that he has/uses in Boston and implement the same level of help and care to the people in Haiti. The narrator of the story really captures your attention and allows you to visualize the two places and how the economics of each country really influence the care people receive.
ReplyDeleteFarmer, the main character, is quite empowering. He is loved everywhere he goes and he helps as many people as he can. He puts others before himself and strives to make the worlds in which he lives the best places they can be. Farmer is truly an inspiring character who never gives up-and constantly fights and works to meet the needs of his people. He lives up to expectations that do not seems reasonable for any human being! He is one who believes in people, even if they do not make the best choices in life. He helps people make better choices.
The global awareness that this story shares and recognizes is wonderful. Though I am not finished, I recommend it to anyone who has time to read it! :)
-Nadine
I'm working my way through The World is Flat.
ReplyDeleteFriedman's metaphor is supported throughout the book with very specific stories from all over the world. My eyes are being opened! I've learned about e-tutoring and sending CAT scans across the world to be read. The "flattening" of the world seems to helping in some cultures - offering jobs and education to those who may not have had the opportunity. More to come!
Heather
Just a recommendation - A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink
Hello All! I just finished reading Leaving Microsoft to Change the World by John Wood. This was one of the most inspiring books I have ever read. I often think "I am only one person...what can I do to impact the world?" If you are a motivated and dedicated individual who is passionate about their dream, then the possibilities are endless.
ReplyDeleteOn the first day of a 21 day trek in the Himalayas, John (author) met Pasupathi, a Nepali man responsible for finding resources for 17 schools. This was an impossible job since there was no money for all of the resources that were so desperately needed. Pasupathi invited John to visit a school the next morning which John eagerly accepted. After a 3 hour walk, John and Pasupathi arrived at the school and the headmaster gave John a tour. Each classroom had about 70 students and no desks. The school library had only 20 books which were locked up because they were so precious. John wanted to help but before he could even ask how, the headmaster responded with a sentence that changed John's life dramatically. "Perhaps, Sir, you will someday come back with books."
That sentence led to an email asking friends to donate books or money. John was hoping for a couple hundred books...he was shocked when over 3000 books arrived during the first month! That was the start of it all. John left his lucrative, high profile job at Microsoft and began focusing all of his attention on Books for Nepal. This Non-Profit organization was later named Room to Read in 2001 when John and his team wanted to expand their efforts to Cambodia.
John's passion for Room to Read is limitless. For three years, he lived off of his savings from Microsoft instead of taking a paycheck. He wanted everyone who donated to Room to Read to know exactly where their money was going...not to pay his staff (which was mostly volunteers) or host fundraising parties, but to building new schools in the developing world. Schools with computer labs and libraries filled with books not only in English, but also published in local languages. Leaving Microsoft to Change the World is John's memoir illustrating how just one individual can begin something so powerful that it touches the lives of millions. John set out to education the worlds children and enlighten their lives with literature.
I found that as soon as I complted this book, I wanted to learn more. The copy I read was last updated in 2007 and I really wanted to find out their current statistics. I immediately signed onto the Room to Read website to learn more. Here are just a few statistics I found amazing:
Since 2000, Room to Read has impacted the lives of over 3.1 million children in the developing world by:
-Constructing 765 schools
-Establishing over 7,040 libraries
-Publishing 327 new local language children's titles representing over 2.8 million books
-Donating over 2.8 million Elnglish language children's books
-Funding 6,817 long-term girls' scholarships
-Establishing 179 computer and language labs
If you are interested in learning more, go to www.roomtoread.org
-Nicole Schwarm
I read Leaving Microsoft to Change the World by John Wood. The book chronicled the bravery and success of John Wood, founder of Room to Read. John decided to leave his lucrative career as a Microsoft employee after a life-changing trip to the Himalayas. On his trip, John met a school teacher and visited a local school. He discovered that the books in the school were so scarce that they were locked away. John promised the teachers at the school that he would return with books. After a successful book drive, John returned and delivered thousands of books to the children of Nepal. It was an extremely rewarding experience and John made the decision to leave his secure job in order to create the Room to Read organization.
ReplyDeleteIn this particular case, globalization certainly brought about positive change. Room to Read eventually expanded beyond Nepal and created schools and libraries in several different countries. They also provided much needed educational scholarships for girls. Reading this book made me realize how much education is valued worldwide. This was evident as the people in the impoverished communities worked together to come up with some of the funding, materials, and manual labor necessary to build the new schools. This gave the people a strong sense of pride and ownership in the new schools and libraries.
John Woods definitely demonstrated the power of the individual in a global world. He set extremely high goals and did everything in his power to make change happen. He did not accept money and spent long hours trying to fight the worldwide illiteracy problems. This was truly an inspiring story which showed the potential power and positivity of globalization.
-Amanda Rapp
Hi!
ReplyDeleteI read "Three Cups of Tea" the remarkable story of an amazing and determined man: Greg Mortenson. As shared above he was the recipient of a kind and generous community and as a thank you to them he promised to build them a real school. When he was in Korphe he noticed that the students only had a teacher about 3 times a week and the other days they were expected to continue working on assignments left by the teacher. This book shows how one man from one culture can immerse himself in another and be impacted so greatly by his experience. He clearly sees the benefits of creating a more connected global community where people can learn from and help eachother. As Elinor stated above Greg had a clear impact on the areas he worked with and worked for and I want to add that he made the decision to help because he was greatly affected by the people of Korphe.
I can only be blown away and amazed by the impact one person can have on a community. I think what often gets lost in my life, is that I can make an impact and I do not have to make great big changes like Greg, but I can make small choices that can make big changes. For example, getting involved in organizations that spend quality time in different areas, offer supplies (clothing, food, education) and offer the money to make things happen. An organization like this is GOAL, which was created by an Irish former soccer player to alleviate the suffering amongst struggling communities. This program has built schools, repaired homes and infrastructure, and work on healthcare. This organization is given much of it's money from governments across the world, as well as individual donors - what I think makes this organization special is that only 3% of the total money raised in used in administration costs - the rest: 97% goes directly into the communities that need it.
We all need to start thinking about how we, as a single person, can get involved in helping to improve our world.
The book Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenesen and David Oliver Relin truly shows just what a difference one person can make. Before reading this book, I never imagined there was one person out in the world doing anything as brave and altruistic as Greg Mortensen. It was so inspiring to see how much one person could accomplish through his tireless efforts and passion for a cause he so truly believed in. It was striking to read about the countless ways he put his own life on the line and all of the sacrifices he made to build schools and help educate all children, fighting so hard to help girls get the education they deserve. I think that many people might have been in Greg’s place when he saw the group of students in Korphe doing their multiplication tables in the dirt and thought that it was a sad situation. Many people might have shrugged it off thinking that it’s a different culture, so they do things differently and moved on. Not many people would have then taken on this cause as their life’s work. This book taught me how truly connected we all are in spite of our cultural and/or economic backgrounds. It was so amazing how Mortensen in time was so accepted and became a part of their culture and to many individuals became a part of their family. I truly appreciated looking at this part of the world through a different lens. We all want so many of the same things out of life-good health for ourselves and our families, education for our children, our basic needs met, etc. This book really helped to show how similar we all are even living worlds away from each other. I feel that this book (or the young adult version) should be read be all students at some point before they graduate from high school. It could inspire so many others to find a cause and work hard to make positive changes in the world just like Mortensen has done.
ReplyDeleteI just finished reading Leaving Microsoft to Change the World as well. My Eliot colleagues have already done a beautiful job describing the book, which I agree is an inspirational story. John Wood utilizes extensive contacts, technology, and countless hours of international travel—all hallmarks of globalization—to better underprivileged children across the world. Few people have the work ethic and ingenuity to realize his visions. Still, he meets others, sometimes through pure serendipity, who are supportive in various ways. I am delighted that our school is participating in a Room to Read fundraising effort.
ReplyDeleteHowever, while reading the book, I was often troubled by the wealthy people that Wood depends on for funding. Many are well-educated executives for whom $8,000 (the cost of a school in Nepal) is “a rounding error,” as Wood writes a few times. In other words, many of these donors have already profited heavily from globalization in ways that may have even negatively impacted developing countries. I am bothered by the idea that “Big Business” can become philanthropic overnight by attending a cocktail party and writing a check. Wood throws the names of successful companies around (Goldman Sachs, ING, etc.) and writes triumphantly of CEOs contributing $150,000 or even of his own Microsoft stocks that allowed him to start his charitable work in the first place. Where does that leave the rest of us? Thankfully, Wood’s book also includes anecdotes of ordinary people helping out in small but meaningful ways. For instance, after the 2004 tsunami, three preteen cousins design and sell a bracelet to raise money to rebuild several schools. Frankly, I am more moved by that type of individual effort than the “philanthropy” of those who have already taken more than their fair share of the world’s limited resources.
-Andrea
I read Three Cups of Tea. I haven't been able to finish it yet, but plan to. I find the story to be inspiring. It definitely showed that with determination and perserverance, one person can make a difference. I enjoyed getting to know the culture and area of the Korphe people Mortenson worked with. I don't know much about that region and this book helped me catch a glimpse into what that area of the world is like.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I found the book a little dry and disjointed at times which could be why it is hard for me to get through. What I found most interesting was the cultural differences. I love learning about how different people live in the world and what they value. I am excited to try and read the young adult version of Three Cups of Tea. It would be nice to compare and contrast the two and perhaps I will share it with my students in the future.
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ReplyDeleteMy non-fiction adult reading for the class was the book by Thomas Friedman, The World is Flat 2.0 a Brief History of the 21st Century. This is an in-depth look at how technology has altered and dramatically changed our world view. This book was written in 2005/6 and updated in 2007. I wish he would write a new update that would reflect on what has recently happened during this past year's global economic crisis. By "flat", Friedman means "connected" - no geographical barriers, no economical/trade barriers, etc. Barriers that existed before the cyber age. I actually listened to the first edition, abridged, 6 discs.
ReplyDeleteThis book was fascinating, provocative, and upsetting. It is really a call to action, regarding the effects of the internet and connectivity on business, trade, and education in our world, and how it is changing at break net speed and altering our (the U.S.) position in the world. And, dramatically changing the position of countries like India and China. As someone who lived through the groundbreaking technology events of the 1990's - yes, I can actually remember when we didn't have the internet, I am aware of how these changes affect us on a personal and national level. And, what is more important and even scary, is that the speed of change is not going to slow down, but rather continue to increase at an unprecedented rate.
As a parent and teacher, it made me reailze how we really cannot keep our heads n the sand on technology issues and we definitely need to alter our world view, especially about countries like India and China. Outsourcing is here, it is going to increase and not go away. It will be the norm for all of us. We also really need to address our attitudes towards work, science, competition, outsourcing, and collaboration. Whether Friedman is talking about UPS, Google, Wal-Mart, Banaglore, China, or the Middle East, things have changed. There are definitely new rules, and if you don't pay attention or catch on, you will be relegated to the recent past, and to not being a player in this new world. And, what is most alarming, is that the U.S. is not paying attention, and doesn't seem to get it. An update of this book would be good, as it would address whether President Obama's presence might make a difference, as perhaps now Washington might be more receptive to Friedman's ideas. But on a personal level, I feel the need to learn these new tools, and to make sure that our students become digital citizens.