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 its northern terminus at Capuchin. She plans to reach the end of her voyage by June 11. In addition to eight days on her boat, two additional days have been built in for community service projects.

Choi also visited Dominica during a school trip when she was a freshman at Gould.

“Caroline’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,” said Christopher Hayward, director of Experiential Learning at Gould. “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.