Greg Mortenson: biography, interesting facts from life, photo

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Greg Mortenson's father created the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center and his mother created the Moshi International School. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that Greg became what he became. A well-known philanthropist, founder of the Penny for the World project, one of the authors of Three Cups of Tea, a book that captivated the public, which was published in 50 countries and sold with a circulation of 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 helping 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 very favored. And in his homeland he was twice nominated 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 life's journey

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

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

Journey to the top

In 1992, a tragic event occurs in his life, his sister dies from an attack of epilepsy (the girl was sick from the age of 3), whom he loved very much. The decision to become a doctor was made in order to find a cure for epilepsy and one day cure it. Alas, not all dreams were destined to come true. In order to pay tribute to the memory of his sister, he decides to make a journey that will later become a turning point in his life. Greg Mortenson sets off to conquer the summit of Mount K2, which after Everest is the highest point in the world, and lay on the top a necklace that once belonged to his relative. During the ascent, an accident occurs. Greg does not reach the intended goal by quite a bit and comes back - sick, exhausted, lost his way. Then he could say goodbye to life if he had not come across the village of Korfe. Representatives of the B alti people helped him upback to your feet. Although they themselves could not boast of a happy and prosperous life, they spared nothing for the exhausted stranger.

Life in Korfe

So he stayed in the village for about a month. There Greg tried to learn their language, get used to the way of life. He did not sit idle, tried to help everyone. Here his education came in handy, if necessary, he went from house to house and treated wounds. And one day Mortenson saw how he was being taught in schools. 78 boys and only 4 girls (who were not afraid to go to school) just sit on the ground and deduce the multiplication table. And the teacher does not even come to work every day, because the village does not have the opportunity to pay for his daily services, the cost of which is a dollar a day. What he saw was a huge shock for Greg, so he promised that one day he would return and help found the school.

Keep a promise under any circumstances

And Mortenson never forgot his promise. When he returned to the US, he had nothing - no well-paid job, no housing, no money and connections. But he had something more - a noble goal. He set to work. To begin with, he sent letters to rich people with requests for financial assistance, unfortunately, this did not bring the proper result. The amount that they managed to raise by their own efforts was negligible.

Although he still managed to get in touch with Jean Erni, with whom they later founded the Institute of Central Asia. He agreed to give 12 thousand dollars to build a school inthe village that Mortenson promised to return to.

Building schools

Knowing little to nothing about construction, the young man seemed to be in charge. He was lucky with the people who helped him in the construction, and therefore he turned out to be an excellent specialist. The school grew literally before our eyes, after only three years the children could study 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 building materials to the village. To which Ernie agreed, witty remarking that his ex-wife used to spend more on weekends. Then, in 1997, he gave a million to Greg to create the Central Asia Institute to build many more schools and help a huge number of people get an education.

And he began to do so, traveling from one village to another, overcoming obstacles and misunderstandings of some locals and building rapport with others. Getting into dangerous situations, risking your own life.

Dedication, fearlessness and perseverance - the qualities that made Greg Mortenson famous all over the world. The biography of this person is sometimes like an adventure novel. Many 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 one day he got into a shootout between two warring groups of drug dealers. Greg was able to escape only thanks to the fact that he was hiding onfor eight hours under animal carcasses. Overcoming all the formalities and personal dislike of conducting financial and legal affairs, he simply built schools.

US Social Work

After returning to his homeland, Greg gave lectures to raise more money. His success was variable, sometimes he had to perform in front of huge crowds, and sometimes in half-empty auditoriums. The reaction of people is also ambiguous, some hated him and said that he helps "Muslim fanatics" (in particular, he received a lot of angry letters after September 11), while others simply did him good, admiring him.

Greg talks about how he helps educate children so that they grow up to be educated people who will be against violence. So far, he has helped build about 200 schools with over 64,000 children. Just incredible numbers.

Family

As for his personal life, Greg has been happily married since 1995 with his wife, Tara Bishop. She bore him two children, a boy and a girl. The wife supports her husband in all his undertakings. 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 developed for a young man. In love, he considered himself a failure.

Penny Peace Project

The name "Penny for Peace" was given to the project due to the fact that in European countries and America nothing can be done for one pennybut in Pakistan a student can at least buy himself a pencil to start his journey to learning.

Three cups of tea

Also wrote Greg Mortenson books. "Three Cups of Tea" is his co-authored work. On the pages, the reader will find great events with unexpected plot twists, beautiful descriptions and quotes that motivate great achievements. But, most importantly, this book is a real story that is being made now. A story about an ordinary person who was able to change tens of thousands of lives, while having a minimum of opportunities.