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I am one of the millions who was inspired by Greg Mortenson's story. I read the book and passed it along to my daughter, who was also impressed. The case that it was woven from lies intermingled with fact and fantasy seems very strong, but the basic inspirational story of a guy from nowhere with nothing who found a way to do something of value is largely intact. Until, of course, one considers the allegations of mismanagement of his charity.
Part of the problem is that handling any charitable contribution is sort of like passing a hand grenade. Any expense can be questioned or made to appear improper. Some facts should be carefully considered, however:
1. Many, if not most, American charitable organizations spend far too much on raising money and often too little on the "causes" to which they are supposedly dedicated.
2. The process of raising money has itself become big business with legions of consultants, phone bank operators, direct mail handlers, etc. These side businesses suck off a huge amount of money, but they take some burdens from the charities and sell their services by promising that they will raise far more than could ever be raised without them.
3. Many, if not most, charities resort to faking or enhancing their works through video productions and often present half finished or just started projects as completed success stories.
4. Working overseas is a very, very difficult business, particularly in the aftermath of things such as the earthquake in Haiti. When one gives money to a charity, the only real guarantee is that they will be there TRYING to get things done as best they can in difficult or nearly impossible circumstances. If a business doesn't complete its projects, it eventually fails. With a charity, there is always tomorrow, if money can be raised.
5. Managers of charities often find ways to live "high off the hog" and draw big salaries, even while the workers are told they can't get even livable wages and benefits because "we're a non-profit". It is unfortunate that there are no absolute, minimal standards for what percentage should be spent on actual projects.
5. The attack on microfinance in India (mentioned in the NY Times) appears to be an orchestrated disinformation campaign based on politics and jealousy. The enemies of microfinance efforts have helped to instigate stories in the Times for their own purposes and the paper has played along by giving prominence to the charges. This is one normal way that "scandals" get pushed into the headlines.
6. The attack on Mortenson on 60 Minutes reflects their typical approach to a story: someone brings them a set of allegations with some proof and they set out to check out as much of the story as they can. In this case, the instigator and driver of the story was Jon Krakauer who, although highly respected for his books, is also schooled, from what I know, in this kind of full blast attack. I am left to wonder if he took any of his complaints to Mortenson or his charity before his broadside was launched. 60 Minutes is well known for taking spoon fed stories and running with them, pretty much intact. (They apparently went to great lengths in this case to visit the schools and presumed schools.)
Here is what I suspect: Mortenson has had too much success for his former climbing buddies to stomach and they are now getting back at him big time. Mr. Mortenson, however, did himself no favors by refusing to be interviewed, especially about the issues of how his charity and its money are managed. The idea that the charity spent more than 3 million dollars on his travel and promoting his books is, of itself, kind of shocking. Answers are required.
If a good portion of the book was juiced. this is unfortunate, but not all that surprising. Foreign adventures have for centuries been enhanced by the time they get to the home audience. His co-writer, knowing what sells, might easily have altered the facts and convinced Mortenson to go along. (It could have been the other way around, of course.) The more troubling charge is how the charity's money is managed. Yes, I want to give him the benefit of what small doubt remains on both issues and hope that he and the charity can find a way to continue to build schools and other projects. The basic idea seems sound.
Doug Terry 4.21.11
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