Disheartening News

Today I was on my lunch break when I learned the news of the controversy surrounding Greg Mortenson and his book Three Cups of Tea. 
It crushed me.
In case you haven't heard, there was a 60 Minutes episode, which aired this past Sunday, that raised questions about the facts in his book.  It is believed that he embellished many details, exaggerated the number of schools that were built, and has used questionably used money raised towards operating his non-profit, Central Asia Institute.  Allegedly more money has been spent domestically in the U.S. talking about raising money for these schools than what has been spent internationally in actually doing the work.  From what I've been reading, it sounds like he did build schools in Pakistan and some of them are doing well.  But others are closed or being used for storage.  I find this whole incident to be completely disheartening, especially knowing how popular Mortenson's book has become.  I know it's becoming a popular choice of required reads for many freshman college courses.  How disappointing it is that someone who has been an inspiration to so many is perhaps not to be trusted.  While I did thoroughly enjoy the book, I did wonder as I was reading what kind of accountability and follow through was being given to the schools that had been built.  After all, it is great to build a school but not all that beneficial unless learning is actually happening inside the schools.  And I'm sure there is great things happening in some of those places...but perhaps being honest about what maybe isn't working out inside the other schools would be good to know too.  This situation reminds me a little of what was happening at Blue House in Kenya: American donors were handing out money to support the school, but the teachers were not even being paid. 

It shouldn't be this way--we shouldn't be afraid to donate money to a seemingly reputable organization.  We shouldn't be afraid to help people.  I want to believe that we can be honest enough to prevent some of these problems.  Giving kids an education should not be so difficult, should it?  But I suppose that even trustworthiness is not a fix all.  There are so many external factors involved that can lead to problems too.  I think about the money that was used to send 2 of my Kenyan friends to school.  Neither of them have found a steady job even after finishing their education, and honestly I wonder how they are able to survive.  I know that they are talented people, but that finding employment in Kenya is difficult.  I play this wrestling match in my mind about whether or not it was worth it to send them to school in the first place.  Did that money go to good use?  Could it have been used in a better way?  Am I making wise decisions?  But then I think about my college education and the things I've learned...so much valuable knowledge and insight...and yet much of this knowledge doesn't directly relate to making me good at teaching.  Yet I know it has molded my thoughts and views and has helped shape the person I am today.  Many people have the same argument about art class--that it's irrelevant and unimportant. But where would our creative thinkers be without it? Without an art class, what would happen to the self-confidence of the artistically talented student who struggles academically?


I have to believe that education is important and that it can promote change and understanding.  I have to believe that it's okay and good to assist in sending Kenyans to college when they desperately want to go.  I have to believe these things, or I will lose hope.  But mostly, I have to believe that God is bigger than all these questions and worries, that He will provide, and that we can trust Him.