Turning Hardships into Opportunities
Mortenson discovers his life purpose as a result of getting lost, and
throughout the story there are many points where Mortenson, despite having taken
a wrong turn, ends up in the right place after all. He is disappointed, for
example, that he will not reach the summit of K2, but that failure leads him to
the village of Korphe, where he realizes that building a school would be a
better monument to his sister than placing her necklace at the top of the
mountain and where his mission as a humanitarian begins. In another fortunate
coincidence, when Changazi hides the stored building materials, Mortenson
happens to meet Ghulam Parvi, who becomes one of the CAI’s most important
workers. Later, as a result of the religious proclamation against him that might
have ended his efforts in Baltistan, Mortenson gains the support of Syed Assam.
Again and again, obstacles turn into opportunities, and Mortenson often succeeds
not in spite of his mistakes, but often because of them.
Empowerment Through Education
From the beginning, Mortenson instinctively recognizes that education is
the key to positive change. For instance, girls like Jahan, Tahira, and Shakeela
who might have played limited roles in their communities without education
ultimately become catalysts for change in their villages after going to CAI
schools. They improve medical care, teach other women, and change attitudes
towards women as they gain respect. Educated girls, we learn, are more likely
than the educated boys—who tend to leave for the cities to find work—to remain
near their homes, thus they share the advantages of their education with those
around them. Consequently, the reader comes to understand that education for
girls is a powerful and cost-effective tool for improving the social and
economic conditions for everyone in rural areas. Mortenson also recognizes that
education may be the best way to counter the spread of terrorism and violent
strains of Islam. When Mortenson sees that ultra-conservative Muslims are
building more and more madrassas that offer a free education
for boys but also direct them toward militancy, he realizes the best way to
counter the trend is by providing a free, more liberal education as an
alternative. By showing young boys that violence is not their only option for
escaping poverty, Mortenson believes they will be less likely to turn toward
terrorism.
Overcoming Cultural Differences
Mortenson’s genuine interest in understanding other cultures aids
tremendously in his success. Growing up in Africa, Mortenson learned to regard
foreign cultures as the equals of his own. When he first comes to Korphe, he
wants to participate in the lives of the villagers. As he returns again and
again, he strives to become part of the community. He learns about Islamic
prayer not only to fit in better but also to gain an understanding of the people
and their spiritual lives. Although he often becomes impatient and tries at
first to force events that he feels aren’t happening quickly enough, Haji Ali
teaches him that he must respect the ways of the Balti people if he wants their
cooperation. As Mortenson becomes more engaged in humanitarian projects, he
continues to build bridges between cultures. After 9/11, he urges Americans to
combat terrorism through understanding and cooperation rather than
warfare.
