It can be a little over-praisey of Mortenson, especially given the financial issues CAI's had with him. Turns out he's not very good at accounting.

While some say it's an example of cultural imperialism or colonialism, I find a couple things redeeming against that:

1. Many charities today would have you believe that giving free stuff to people in poor countries is how to help them. It's not. When our old clothes are donated to people in an impoverished country, it just puts the country's textile workers out of business. The country loses the capacity to produce clothing, and the people lose jobs. That's not helping; that's hurting. The thing that is done differently in this book is that only money is imported to the country. The money is paid to local businesses, so the money multiplier effect can take place within the local economy. Not only does a school result, but it should also help strengthen the local economy.

2. The first school that gets built is not the first thing to be built. The people tell Mortenson that a bridge would be more useful. Thankfully, he actually listens to them instead of railroading.