“Let’s be honest,” says Tom Vaughan. “The fact is the CAI is Greg. I didn’t mind rubber-stamping whatever he wanted to work on. But without
Greg, the CAI is finished. The risks he takes in that part of the world I understand --- that’s part of the job. But I began to get angry about the
terrible way he toof care of himself. He stopped climbing and exercising. He stopped sleeping. He began to gain so much weight that he didn’t even
loof like a mountaineer anymore. I understand that he decided to pour everything into his work,” 230.
Greg Mortenson’s friend, Vaughan, is worried about Greg’s health. Sometimes Greg forgets to take care himself because he is too busy in doing CAI job as the
director. Besides, His jobs take much of his time that unable him to have enough
time with his family. Tara, his wife, says, I told Greg I love how passionate he is about his work,” Tara says. “But I
told him he had a duty to his family, too. He needed to get more sleep, get some exercise, and get enough time at home to have a life with us.” Until
then, Mortenson had left home to be in Pakistan for three months or four months a time 233.
From what she said, it can be observed that she is complaining about Greg who is too busy with his job. He works very hard to accomplish his job and it makes him
forget that his family also needs him.
6. Optimistic
Greg Mortenson’s being optimistic can be analyzed from his words and his thought. Greg Mortenson is an optimistic person. It can be seen when he explains
to Jean Hoerni about how much money he needs to build the school and how he makes sure Jean Hoerni that he can build the school. Greg says,
“So. What, exactly, will your school cost?” Hoerni barked. Mortenson fed more quarters into the phone.
“I met with an architect and a contractor in Skardu, and priced out the materials,” Mortenson said. “I want it to have five rooms, four for classes,
and one common room for…” “A number” Hoerni snapped.
“Twelve thousand dollars,” Mortenson said nervously, “but whatever you’d like to contribute toward…”
“Is that all?” Hoerni asked, incredulous. “You’re not bullshitting? You can really build your school for twelve grand?”
“Yes sir,” Mortenson said. He could hear his own heartbeat in his ears. “I’m sure of it” 55.
What Greg Mortenson said to Jean Hoerni shows his optimism that he can build the school using Jean Hoerni’s money. He makes sure that he can accomplish his
work to build the school. When Greg Mortenson arrives in Korphe and meets Haji Ali, he brought
materials which he needs to build the school. Greg says, “I bought everything we need to build school,” he said in Balti, as he’d
been rehearsing. “All the wood, and cement and tools. It’s all in Skardu right now.” He loofed at Changazi, who dipped a coofie in his tea, and
flush with the moment, he felt affection even for him. “I came back to keep my promise,” Mortenso said, loofing Haji Ali in the eye. “And I hope
we can begin building it soon, Inshallah” 97.
Coming back to Korphe, Greg Mortenson shows his optimistic to Haji Ali. He believes that he can build the school with all the materials he brings soon.
Greg Mortenson also decides to provide the education for the girls in Northern Pakistan. He and CAI set the level of children education in the school
only up through the fifth grade. Greg Mortenson considers that girls can create and improve their village after they have got education. Greg Mortenson says,
“Once you educate the boys, they tend to leave the villages and go search for work in cities,” Mortenson explains. “But the girls stay home, become
leaders in the community, and pass on what they’ve learned. If you really want to change a culture, to empower women, improve basic hygiene and
health care, and fight high rates of infant mortality, the answer is to educate girls” 209.
Based on what Greg Mortenson said, we know that he is an optimistic person. He is optimistic to make the improvement of a village is through women
empowerment. By having education, the girls in the village can apply what they have learned in their society.
B. Greg Mortenson’s Motivation in Building Schools in Northern Pakistan
