Greg Mortenson is my personal hero, well one of many. Some believe people should do more good in their own country and stop crossing borders to help others. I believe that by helping those abroad, Greg is doing the best thing for his own country. For those that don't know about Greg Mortenson, he wrote two books about his trials building schools in remote areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. More can be found about him and his projects here (http://www.ikat.org)
Mr. Mortenson builds schools for children who would not otherwise have any chance at an education, especially girls. This is vital. "Teach a girl to read and she will educate her village." Girls with literacy skills are less likely to allow their sons to join terrorist groups. Girls are sometimes the untapped resource of a community, often after receiving an education she will return to her village to help the members with her skills such as midwifery. Mr. Mortenson makes sure that the school is built and run by village members, they have a vested interest in the schools future.
In addition to making the world a safer place, Mr. Mortenson teaches us a valuable lesson, a community, even the poorest and most remote can do something for their youngest members and ensure the benefit of their community. As public schools are sinking in the turmoil of many state budgets, this is something valuable. If we don't like the outcomes, speak up. They are our schools. Failing that, we should work together to make sure all children have access to an education.

The books, "Three Cups of Tea," and "Stones into Schools" are about more than that and deserve to be read. They can teach us all a lesson in adversity and the power of a community.