Blog Bpost #9

Mortenson has now raised enough money because of Hoeni and travels to Pakistan after a couple years waiting. When he arrives there he stays in a small makeshift motel where he meets a helpful motel guard, Abdul Sha. Over time they gather building material that could help create the structure of the school. He is told by Abdul that the cement and lumber industry in Pakistan are run like a mafia, so it is hard to find quality building material for the school. He is also told that he has to have two new Shalwar Kamiz so he can wear it in the mountainous climates.  Mortenson is also introduced to a man named Khan who shows him how a ritual works and then how the prayer works. After taking part in this, Mortenson realizes how important community is and being able to have faith.

(shalwar kamiz)

After getting the supplies together they load it into a truck and a crowd of people are there to see Mortenson off to Korphe once again. Even though he has taken such a large step since he was in the U.S., Mortenson is  still worried of the dangers of traveling there and still having enough money for the actual process of building it after having spent so much money on the lumber and cement. He had reason to worry though, because halfway through his trip his truck is stopped because their is a brawl between the Pakistani army and gunman.

While reading this section I was reminded of other fundraising projects I have either taken part in or witnessed. Very similar to the "Pennies for Pakistan" my church did a "Penny Power" project for children to get clean water in South America. I have also done other various coin denominations to help third world countries around the world, similar to the Penny Power fundraiser.