Greg Mortenson: biography, interesting facts from life, photo

Father Greg Mortenson created the Christian Medical Center Kilimanjaro, and his mother - the international school Moshi. Therefore it is not at all surprising that Greg became what he became. He was a well-known philanthropist, founder of the Penny for Peace project, one of the authors of Three Cups of Tea, a book that won over the public, which was published in 50 countries, and sold in 7,000,000 copies, one of the founders of the Central Asia Institute. In 2009, he was awarded the "Star of Pakistan" for his contribution to education and assistance to many people. I would like to note that this is an incredible achievement - to become a respected person in a country where Americans are not too fond of. And in his homeland he was nominated twice for the Nobel Prize. Thousands of kilometers overcame Greg Mortenson. Photos from some of his travels can be seen in the article.

The beginning of the life path

In the United States of America, Greg Mortenson was born in St Cloud, Minnesota . Date of birth - December 27, 1957. His childhood was in Tanzania, near the volcano Kilimanjaro. His parents moved there when the future philanthropist was not yet a year old, and he lived there until he was 25 years old.

In order to earn his education at the university, Greg Mortenson has to go to the service in the US Army, which he dignifiedly passed and even was awarded a medal (in the army he was 2 years, from 1977 to 1979). After that, he went to receive an education, and the choice fell on the University of Dakota. Greg decided to become a medical professional.

Journey to the top

In 1992, there was a tragic event in his life, from an attack of epilepsy, a sister dies (the girl was ill from the age of three), whom he loved very much. The decision to become a medic was made in order to find a cure for epilepsy and one day to heal it. Alas, not all dreams were destined to come true. In order to pay tribute to his sister, he decides to make a journey, which later will be a turning point in his life. Greg Mortenson goes to conquer the top of the mountain K2, which, after Everest, is the highest point in the world, and put on the top the necklace that once belonged to his relative. During the recovery an accident occurs. Greg does not get very far to the intended goal and comes back - sick, exhausted, lost his way. Then he could say goodbye to life if he had not come across the village of Corfe. Representatives of the people of the Baltics helped him to get back on his feet. Although they themselves could not boast of a happy and prosperous life, but they did not regret anything for the exhausted stranger.

Life in Corfe

So he stayed in the village for about a month. There Greg tried to learn their language, get used to the foundations of life. He did not sit around, trying to help everyone. Then his education came in handy, he went home and processed wounds if necessary. And one day Mortenson saw how he goes to school. 78 boys and only 4 girls (who were not afraid to go to school) sit just on the ground and display a multiplication table. And the teacher does not even come to work every day, since the village does not have the opportunity to pay for his daily services, the cost of which is a dollar a day. The sight was a huge shock to Greg, so he promised that he would one day return and help establish the school.

Keep your promise in all circumstances

And Mortenson did not forget about his promise for a minute. When he returned to the US, he had nothing - no well-paid work, no housing, no money and connections. But he had something more - a noble goal. He started to work. To begin with, he sent letters to rich people with requests for material assistance, unfortunately, it did not bring a proper result. The amount that it was possible to collect by own efforts was negligible.

Although he still managed to contact Jean Ernie, with whom they subsequently founded the Institute of Central Asia. He agreed to give 12 thousand dollars to build a school in the village, which promised to return Mortenson.

Construction of schools

Not knowing practically nothing about the construction, the young man seemed to be in charge of the conduct. He was lucky with people who helped him in construction, and therefore he turned out to be an excellent specialist. The school grew up literally before our eyes, just after three years, children could learn in human conditions. True, I had to ask Ernie for another 8 thousand dollars to build a bridge, otherwise it was simply impossible to deliver construction materials to the village. To which Ernie agreed, wittily remarking that his ex-wife used to spend more on the weekend. After, in 1997, he allocated a million to Greg for the creation of the Central Asia Institute, so that he built many more schools and helped a large number of people to get an education.

And he started doing this, traveling from one village to another, overcoming the obstacles and misunderstandings of some local residents and establishing mutual understanding with others. Getting in dangerous situations, risking their own lives.

Purposefulness, fearlessness and perseverance are the qualities that Greg Mortenson has become famous throughout the world. The biography of this man is sometimes like an adventure romance. A lot of incredible events happened to him during this time. He managed to survive after the smugglers kidnapped him, he was in captivity for eight days. Or once he got into a shootout of two warring groups of drug dealers. Greg could survive only because he hid for eight hours under the carcasses of animals. Overcoming all formalities and personal dislike for financial and legal affairs, he simply built schools.

Social Work in the USA

Upon his return to his homeland, Greg conducted lectures, the purpose of which was to raise more money. His success was variable, sometimes he had to speak to huge crowds, and sometimes - in half-empty audiences. People's reaction is also ambiguous, some hated it and said that it helps "Muslim fanatics" (in particular, many angry letters he received after September 11), while others just donated him, admiring him.

Greg says that he helps educate children so that they grow up educated people who will be against violence. At the moment he helped build about 200 schools, in which more than 64,000 children studied. Simply incredible numbers.

A family

As for personal life, Greg is happy in marriage since 1995 with his wife Tara Bishop. She gave birth to two children, a boy and a girl. The wife supports her husband in all his endeavors. Therefore, we can say with confidence that not only a bright public figure, but also a happy family man Greg Mortenson. Personal life, by the way, had not previously evolved in the young man. In love, he considered himself a failure.

The Penny for Peace Project

The name "Penny for Peace" project received due to the fact that in Europe and America, one penny can not buy anything, but in Pakistan, a student can buy himself at least a pencil, from which his path to knowledge will begin.

Three cups of tea

Greg Mortenson also wrote the book. "Three cups of tea" - his work, written in co-authorship. On the pages the reader will find great events with unexpected twists of the plot, beautiful descriptions and quotes, motivating to great achievements. But, most importantly, this book is a true story that is being implemented now. A story about an ordinary person who was able to change tens of thousands of lives, while having a minimum of opportunities.