"The Girl Effect"

The Girl Effect is the powerful social and economic change brought about when girls have the opportunity to participate in their society.

Why girls? Adolescent girls are uniquely capable of raising the standard of living in the developing world. Girls are the most likely agents of change, but they are often invisible in their societies and to our media.

The Girl Effect is rooted in the work of the Nike Foundation, which has been joined by the Nova Foundation in a shared mission to create opportunities for girls, and for the world.

For more information check out http://www.girleffect.org/#/splash/

Education and Peace

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Christopher Kolenda, who read Three Cups Of Tea was inspired to reach out to Mortenson (author and founder of Central Asia Institute) via e-mail in 2007. He writes:

"I am convinced that the long-term solution to terrorism in general and Afghanistan specifically is education.

The conflict here will not be won with bombs, but with books and ideas that excite the imagination toward peace, tolerance, and prosperity. "The thirst for education here is palpable.

People are tired of war after 30 years and want a better future.

Education will make the difference whether the next generation grows up to be educated patriots or illiterate fighters. The stakes could not be higher."

Each year, Peace Leaf Tea dontes 1% of all proceeds to Central Asia Institute.