Posted: Aug 13, 2009 10:43 pm EDT
"This has been our best year ever to set up about twenty new (mostly) girls schools in Afghanistan. With the help of local shura elders, we've been able to start efforts in volatile areas like Urozgan, Kunar, Patika, and Wardak province," writes Greg Mortenson from Afghanistan.

CNN has a special two hour feature called "Generation Islam" with Christiane Amanpour, with 20 minutes dedicated to Central Asia Institute's work in Afghanistan. The program airs CNN today 8/13 at 9 PM EST, 8 PM CST, 7 PM MST etc. The program also airs on CNN Int. 22:00 PM Hong Kong time.

"Things are tense here with upcoming elections, and it will get worse next week, which is unfortunate, as it is the good people, women and children who always suffer the most," writes Greg in his heads-up. "Its also been an honor to bring tribal shura elders from around the country to meet and talk with NATO / U.S. military leaders under Gen. McChrystal - who are keen to build relationships and listen to the people - which is exciting to see unfold."

"With the encouragement of my daughter Amira, and Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, I've started twittering - but still not texting!" (Ed note: Find Greg's tweet link below the image).

Former mountaineer Greg Mortenson, found his call following a failed K2 climb. Today the director of the Bozeman-based non-profit Central Asia Institute (CAI), Greg has spent about 70 months in the field since 1993, over the course of 35 trips to the region, building schools, particularly for girls, in mountain areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. As of 2007, he had built 64 schools which provide education to over 24,000 students, including 14,000 females.

He is one of the very few foreigners to have received the Sitar-e-Pakistan award since it was established in 1957, shortly after the country proclaimed its independency.

Mortenson is a regular contributor at ExplorersWeb, and co-author of the NYT best-seller "Three Cups of Tea."

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