Armchair Travelers Book Club is made up of 10 women in Rancho Santa Margarita, California. The love of reading and enriching our minds through books became the building blocks of our foundation of friendship and community three years ago.
The books we chose to read coincidently always ventured into areas where we were most unfamiliar of its lands, culture, people, foods, political standings, education, or religious beliefs. From our well worn armchairs and couches, we traveled outside of our south Orange County homes to Iran, France, Africa, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and even outer space.
Many of the characters and authors seemed to do things so remarkably beyond their own daily existence that it wasn't hard for us to rally behind them and feel their sense of triumph of overcoming great obstacles and goals. They found strength when many would have given up long before. They kept promises so large that many would think that there was no chance in hell that he or she, as one person, could possibly make a significant difference.
Then came our book Three Cups of Tea. Greg Mortenson was our real hero. A young man who attempted to climb K2, fatefully found himself lost in the snow covered mountains,and serendipitously stumbled into a remote village of Korphe in Northern Pakistan. Learning that the children of the village were lacking the basic supplies and tools for a basic education, he promised his hospitable hosts to return and build a school for their children and future generations. Risking his life at times, he never forgot his promise, and 78 schools later, he has now been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.
So during our scheduled discuss of Three Cups of Tea, we felt compelled to help our new found hero in his mission to building schools for children in central Asia. It's a couple of his mottos of 'books not bombs' will bring peace throughout the world and 'when you educate a girl and you educate a community' that we thought was too inspiring to let it wisp away after the last page was read and last word was spoken of this book.
Forming Armchair Travelers Book Club then took on an entirely new meaning beyond the comfortable settings of our living rooms for some social chatter. Wanting to do more to help Mortenson's cause, we are now holding our first annual charity fundraiser. All proceeds raised will go to CAI, Central Asia Institute, Mortenson's non profit organization.
We have slowly been collecting books, household items, shoes, children's clothes, dvds, electronics, and toys which will be for sale at our first annual charity yard sale. The event will be held Saturday, January 24th from 7am to 11am at 21 and 23 El Prisma.
Thank you to all of our friends and family who have donated items for this event. Our ability to give to this cause extends through to your generosity and we can't thank you enough. It costs about $1 per month to educate a young child in some of these remote areas. Your generosity will make an impact beyond what we will ever know.
Sincerely-
Armchair Travelers Book Club
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
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