Garrett Munro, current Secretary of Activities and Public Relations, is the head of a new group on campus known as TEA.  According to Garrett, TEA is a student run organization that raises awareness about what education does- for people and for students -and equally as important, the state of education around the world and in third world countries.  Particularly, TEA is focusing on regions in Central Asia, where the people are Islamic and Muslim, and where the education is more religious.  TEA was inspired by Three Cups of TEA, a book written by a man named Greg Mortenson, who was inspired by the Baltic people of northern Pakistan.  Mortenson was climbing down from a mountain, K2, in 1993, when he came across an impoverished Pakistani village.   While he was regaining his health he noticed that the village did not have education for the children, as they were too poor to afford it.  He then started up CAI, the Central Asia Institute, and promised to build a school.

CAI has grown since then and has built and established a total of 64 schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan.  TEA is helping this happen by promoting awareness around the world about the situation in the Middle East.  Another point brought up by Garrett Munro was that building schools in regions of Central Asia have helped bring boys and girls together as equals.  Munro explained, “Women in particular are often disenfranchised,

disheartened, and discriminated against – particularly in the realm of academics and professional development, even at an elementary level.”

The concept of TEA on campus began when a group of students, Garrett Munro included, read Three Cups of TEA and decided to help make a difference by going back to the Universities to raise awareness and funds about building more schools in the regions in Central Asia.  So far, only 1% of funding CIA came from Universities’ fundraising.  

Astu Shipman began TEA on the SVSU campus and so far other chapters of the TEA organization include Michigan Tech, Northern Michigan, Hope College, Notre Dame, and LSSU!  TEA cannot go anywhere, however, before approval by the President’s Council.  When asked how the students can take part in TEA, Munro replied, “The actual involvement is going to be through events; promote activities and do fundraising.”  There will be a lot of student involvement on campus, and all of the funds will go back to CIA to help build more schools and help more people in Countries around the world.  

“Beginning plans are recruitment and promotion for the club; to get students to join and the organization will take off by itself,” declared Munro.  

TEA currently is having weekly meetings, Mondays at 5:30 pm in the peacock cove.  

Resources: ikat.org

Garrett Munro

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