The “Three Cups of Tea” organization was recently introduced at Venice High. Their ultimate goal is to improve of the education of children in poor countries.<br>

            Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin’s autobiographical best-selling novel Three Cups of Tea informs readers on the growing problem of inadequate schools, particularly in extremely poor and dangerous regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Unfortunately, the political and economic turmoil make a good education out of reach for local kids.

The novel follows the dedicated authors’ years of experience traveling from their written accounts, encouraging readers to support their life long mission to spread peace and build hundreds of schools.

After reading this novel in Ms.Courtney Lockwood’s 11th-grade English class, inspired students Paulino Cervantes and Marina Awed decided totake action and join Mortenson’s cause. They named their organization after the novel in honor of what they called a mind-opening and amazing story, and hope to increase awareness and fundraise for the authors’ Central Asia Institute,which is a non-profit institution that supports community-based education.

The Venice group’s sponsor is naturally Ms. Lockwood; meetings are held in the Walgrove Building in room 153 Thursdays at lunch.

An open Facebook group has been setup for the organization, as well as the website threecupsofteaclub.webs.com where additional information regarding recent activity is posted.

Anyone interested in supporting the cause can join and offer their time and efforts, or can get involved outside by raising awareness of the book (writing positive reviews, requesting bookstores to order it, etc.) and can make a tax-deductible donation directly to the Central Asia Institute by logging on to ikat.org/make-a-donation.

The organization’s members are currently brainstorming ideas for benefit concerts, T-shirts, and car washes and hope to raise $1,000 by the end of the school year and also hope to motivate others to join and help make a difference in the life of someone less fortunate.