Greg Mortenson

It reflected the harsh realities of what it takes to make a difference in a region where too often only neglect is known. The people, their land, and our own nations needs which are tied inexorably together.

I was able to make some lasting friendships with many Afghans while in that distant country. They came from all walks of Afghan life and culture. From a doctor who could not find better-paying work than interpreting for the US Army, to several teachers who simply did not have schools since all learning except in Madrassas had been banned under the Taliban. Many of these friends had lived their entire lives inside refugee camps just over the border in Pakistan and only returned once the Talibs were ousted. They represented all cultural ethnic groups inside Afghanistan today; Dari, Pashtu, Tajik, and Hazara. Even with all their differences they were adamant in unison about one thing: Life without the Taliban was infinitely better and they were thankful that the Americans had helped them achieve freedom.

Another aspect of life they all supported was education of their young children and families. To them education meant opportunity. One of my friends, Faizan, a Hazara who had practiced medicine before the Taliban came to power, showed me with great pride pictures of his three small daughters.

Under the Talibs he had moved his family on foot from Kabul to a Pakistan refugee camp just on the other side of the border near Jalalabad because the Taliban had made life unbearable for women. He also had to quit practicing “modern Western” medicine. He continually expressed to me the desire to make his daughters life better than his and his wife’s lives through education.

The war in Afghanistan was, and continues to be, bloody and destructive; most of all on those who deserve it least – the innocent civilians who only wish to make a wage and live a decent life with their families.

The CAI’s projects provide a good alternative to the education offered in many of the radicalized Madrassahs from where the Taliban sprung forth with their so-called “fundamental Islamacism.” They address the under-education of approximately half the region’s population. The incorporation of women into the educated will ensure they are not disenfranchised because of their gender and double the available resources for the burgeoning nation to draw upon as it struggles to modernize and reintegrate into the international community. We
as climbers are unique in our perspective in that many of us have traveled among these same people and witnessed first hand their hospitality and friendship. What can be better than a future world made safe for us all by education now?

I urge every reader to give what you can to support good organizations doing work in these volatile areas; after last month’s issue, the Central Asia Institute is my donation of choice.

(c) 2003 Rock & Ice Magazine

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