3 cups

Ella had an amazing opportunity this week. Greg Mortenson, peace activist and author of Three Cups of Tea, visited her school and classroom to talk about his work. A nobel peace prize nominee took his place in the circle of fifteen first graders and talked about children their age who were working instead of going to school, about the children he is building schools for in Pakistan and Afganistan, and about how the Pennies for Peace program helps these children directly. The seven year olds knew that a penny could buy a pencil, but they were concerned about the cost of erasers and wondered how they would sharpen their pencils. Dr. Greg answered their questions so graciously. Their teacher had prepared them so well for his visit, and I think that they knew more about him than he even realized. They were even a bit starstruck.