Blogging is a very powerful tool. All of you who do it already know this. We have all heard of examples where this medium has made the world smaller, especially Will Richardson’s and his student’s experience with Sue Monk Kidd and Eric Langhorst’s experiences with Guerilla Season. 

I have my own experience to share. I am a new blogger. One of my earlier posts was my excitement being able to work with the juniors in my class on a service learning project after reading Greg Mortenson’s Three Cups of Tea. Over the winter holiday, a comment from Greg appeared on my blog. It read:

Jambo Rafiki wa Kilimanjaro,
Nimefurahi ku sikia blog wetu. Nidiyo kumsaida watoto kukwenda school ni mzuri sana. Labda nitaweza kusaidia school yetu. Sasa nina kaa Afghanistan, lakini nitarudi America karibu na January 10th. Also, nitarudi Moshi, Tanzania in August 2007 with bibi na mtoto yango kukwenda reunion of International School Moshi, which my mother Jerene Mortenson founded in 1969.

Nitafurahi ku onana Kilimanjaro English Nursery School katika my visit to Tanzania.

Asante sana kwa msaidia yako.
Please excuse the poor Swahili, I have not been able to speak it in over 35 years.
Greg Mortenson

I was excited, but skeptical, not sure if it was a hoax or whether it was real. You see, I don’t speak Swahili. I since emailed Greg back, but from what I was able to translate, he was going to be in Afghanistan until he returned to the US this week to begin a book tour. I know he is extremely busy working on his projects.

My skepticism disappeared Monday when Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach, who cited my post in her blog, skype chatted me asking me for my email address. She forwarded a message from Greg’s sister, who stated that:

It is wonderful in the age of computers that we can all make global connections working towards peace. How great that you got connected to Greg. He really appreciates people that are inspired to make a difference in this world in their unique, individual way. … I know that Greg was really excited to see your project because he personally forwarded it to me.

…Yes, it is incredible Greg found your blog and he really does have a personal interest in your inspiration. It is very difficult to track him down sometimes. So many people are interested in his story now. He does give high priority to young people because he believes they are the hope for the future.

My Kiswahili is limited but I will translate the best I can. It is impossible for me to translate it literally because the words loose some meaning in translation. But this is my best guess at it.

Hello Friends of Kilimanjaro.

I was happy to see your blog. Yes, supporting children to go to school is very good. Maybe I can be of (am willing to) help to support your school. Now I am in Afghanistan, but will be returning to America on January 10th. Also, I will return to Moshi, Tanzania in August 2007 with my wife and children to go to the reunion of International School Moshi, which my mother Jerene Mortenson founded in 1969.

I would be happy to see Kilimanjaro English Nursery School during my visit to Tanzania.

Thank you very much for the work you do.

Please excuse the poor Swahili, I have not been able to speak it in over 35 years.

Greg Mortenson

I still do not know how he found my blog amongst all of the other content being created daily. But is has provided a powerful message to the students, faculty, and parents at the school about the power of the new publishing tools and the connections which can result from this.

I know that this will provide a springboard for all at my school as they begin to incorporate these tools into their professional and personal lives.