Everyone should read 'Three Cups of Tea' by Greg Mortenson

[esme]

Amazing book, makes you want to go out and do your bit to change the world!

Sorry random posting but had to share... Anyone who runs a book club, pls recommend this for people to read.

Very pertinent in today's society, esp with the Paris atrocities. This book is about one American man who has organised the funding and building of many schools for the rural poor in various parts of Asia, inc Baltistan and Afghanistan, and tells his story about his strong belief that the way you combat terrorism is through education, particularly education of girls.

Thought provoking read. I've already bought a few copies to give to friends...

[Townleygreen]

Thanks esme, I'll recommend this to my book group!

Educating girls in developing countries helps bring down the birth rate drastically. Sorts out so many problems and aids development. It is the way forward.

[Loz]

I spent a small amount of time a couple of years ago working with an education social enterprise in Vietnam. I saw exactly why education is so important - for girls AND boys. It really does make an amazing difference to lives.

Yes, boys in some countries do get an education and girls don't, but even that 'education' is often for a very short period of time when they are very young and just covers (very) basic reading and writing. As soon as they are able, boys are usually sent out to work and earn the family money.

I'm all for helping girls get an education, but please don't overlook boys as well. A proper education for all.

[Curmudgeon]

Good read, ending was a bit weak I thought ...can't remember why ...think it slipped into boring repetition IIRC from years back but the first 2/3rds were excellent

[Curmudgeon]

Loz Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I spent a small amount of time a couple of years

> ago working with an education social enterprise in

> Vietnam. I saw exactly why education is so

> important - for girls AND boys. It really does

> make an amazing difference to lives.

>

> Yes, boys in some countries do get an education

> and girls don't, but even that 'education' is

> often for a very short period of time when they

> are very young and just covers (very) basic

> reading and writing. As soon as they are able,

> boys are usually sent out to work and earn the

> family money.

>

> I'm all for helping girls get an education, but

> please don't overlook boys as well. A proper

> education for all.

Whilst it's a valid point the cultural norms that underpin girls lack of education are completely different from the societal pressures that underpins boys.

[uncleglen]

Conversation between science teacher and an able female year 9 student (who happened to be wearing a purple and green International Women's Day ribbon),engaged in a classroom experiment (in the South London Borough of Lewisham)

"You've set out your equipment very well Emma" everything was in the right place and labelled, and neatly recorded in the exercise book, and the girl proceeded to carry out the experiment efficiently and precisely.

"Have you thought about doing all three sciences in year 10? You certainly have the ability."

"No Miss, not really".

"Do you like Science Emma?"

"Yes Miss, but I just want to leave school and have babies as soon as possible".....

[Townleygreen]

Loz said "I'm all for helping girls get an education, but please don't overlook boys as well"

For goodness sake, just because I didn't mention boys you jump to the conclusion I don't think they need educating?

[Loz]

Townleygreen Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Loz said "I'm all for helping girls get an education, but please don't overlook boys as well"

>

> For goodness sake, just because I didn't mention boys you jump to the conclusion I don't think they

> need educating?

What makes you think I was directly referring to your post, anyway? It was a general point I made.

And even if you do read it as a reply to you, your attempt at guessing my 'conclusion' doesn't actually correspond to what I wrote.

Utter comprehension fail.

[Townleygreen]

on your part, yes

[Loz]

You *are* an idiot.

[Townleygreen]

how childish you are darling.

[esme]

I began thinking 'what about boys?' but in this book the focus was on girls because the boys and young men basically had to work for their families. Of course boys need educating but the point here was that the girls who sat at home with mothers and aunts could be getting an education. I'm all for equal ops but in some rural areas where there is extreme poverty you also find ancient traditions (like only boys working and girls being married off for example) which you aren't going to change overnight...

I'm on to the sequel now :)