When visiting author Greg Mortenson asked students at Laketown Elementary School Thursday to list some of the things they have that children in Afghanistan and Pakistan lack, dozens of hands shot into the air.
The kids were well aware that they have more luxuries -- their list included Wii video games, television and lots of clothes.
Mortenson, who has established more than 140 schools and another five dozen temporary refugee schools in the two countries, described some of the difficulties children in that region of the world encounter when they try to get an education.
He said he’s seen children write in the dirt with sticks because they don’t have any school supplies. Some walk three hours just to get to the nearest school, he said.
Mortenson delivered a talk at the University of Illinois Springfield’s Sangamon Auditorium Thursday night. Before that, he stopped at Laketown Elementary.
Mortenson's visit was featured in a March 4, 2011, article in The State Journal-Register.
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