Caroline Choi of Hollis will be kayaking 36 miles along the Caribbean island coast of Dominica to raise money for music and literacy programs at Soufrière Primary School. Courtesy photo

HOLLIS – For eight days in June, Caroline Choi of Hollis will kayak 36 miles along the Caribbean island coast of Dominica to raise money for music and literacy programs at Soufrière Primary School.

To put that in perspective, the Nashua River is 37 miles long.

On June 1, Choi, a rising senior at Gould Academy, will begin her voyage at Scotts Head Point. From there, she will follow the Waitukubuli Sea Trail up the west side of the island to Cabrits National Park. Her first stop will be at Castle Comfort before paddling the Layou River to the fishing village of Mahaut. She also plans to make stops at the villages of Colihaut and Picard.

Choi plans to conclude her voyage by June 11. In addition to eight days on the boat, two additional days have been built in for community service projects.

“I have been training for this voyage by playing a sport each season and by working out three times a week,” she said. “I am lucky to be at a school where sports are not only encouraged but mandatory. I am the field hockey and tennis captain, so I have been putting in a lot of work and time towards staying strong and competitive.”

During the trip, Choi will be joined by her mother and her mentor, Wes Moses, who graduated from Gould and now owns Soufriere Outdoor Centre in Dominica.

“He has pushed me throughout my mission, supporting my goal to kayak the length of the island to raise money for the Soufriere Primary School,” said Choi.

Her decision to make the journey stems from her visit to the island during her freshman year.

“During a 10-day cultural immersion in Dominica, I became enamored by the beauty of the island and the people,” she said, adding that she kayaked half the length of the island at that time. “Part of my trip was spending time at the local elementary school. At this school, children were so excited to learn and teach us their favorite subjects. Their excitement for learning inspired me to dedicate myself to my own studies and work to support their education.”

Christopher Hayward, director of Experiential Learning at Gould, said Choi’s “passion for education and helping others is truly inspiring.”

“Her trip to Dominica as a ninth grader helped cultivate meaningful relationships and a deeper understanding of how education differs around the world,” he said. “The impact of that initial experience inspired her to pursue this passion further, explore complex educational systems and focus on ensuring that others continue to have access to a high-quality education, regardless of who they are or where they come from.”

In addition, Choi has garnered the support of Donna Larotonda, CEO of UMA Rings.

“At UMA Rings, we believe adventure can be a powerful force for confidence, connection and empowerment, especially for young women pushing beyond traditional boundaries,” said Larotonda. “Caroline’s expedition reflects courage, determination, and purpose, while also highlighting the importance of safety, independence and female leadership in outdoor exploration.”

The money that Choi raises will go to her nonprofit organization, The Unfolding Chapter, Inc., which will put together a grant for Soufrière Primary School. Online donations can be made at https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/Y3GPTEZB4PQ6S. Choi will also be posting updates from the water on The Unfolding Chapter’s Facebook page.