Teen volunteers in Indonesian project
A local teenager is doing her part to help shape tomorrow's youth.
Caroline Hull, a 17-year-old senior at Augusta Preparatory Day School, has been involved in Girls Inc. of the CSRA in Augusta for the past seven years, serving as a role model for young girls. The nonprofit organization has offices throughout the United States, and served more than 2 million young girls last year.
"My parents really pushed me to get involved in the community and giving back and it really stuck," said Caroline, the daughter of Jim and Karen Hull, of Augusta. "It's a good way to spend your time."
Laura Lasko, the executive director of an area Girls Inc. office, said she couldn't agree more that the time Caroline puts into mentoring young girls goes a long way.
"I think the most uplifting thing about somebody Caroline's age is that with her busy schedule, and I know she's busy, she is really taking the time to show other youth that you are never too young to start giving back," said Lasko, adding that Caroline has instituted monthly birthday parties for the children at the Augusta location.
"The prep time she takes is amazing. She buys and wraps presents and bakes the cakes; these aren't store-bought."
It was for her service work at Girls Inc. and her summer service project in Indonesia that Caroline was named the 2004 Alvin W. Vogtle Volunteer of the Year, sponsored by the Southern Nuclear Operating Company Plant Vogtle and the United Way. She also volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House.
The summer service project in Indonesia, arranged through Putney Student Travel based in Putney, Vt., was a five-week opportunity to help build a temple in the village of Tiagan on the island of Nusa Penida. The village's 250 residents are uninfluenced by Western ideas, and the villagers' experience with the Putney group was their first in dealing with Westerners.
Caroline Hull, a senior at Augusta Prep, participated in a summer service project in Indonesia with her church.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
"They are Hindu, so we worked on building a temple for the god of the sun," Caroline said.
"Nusa Penida is an isolated and undiscovered island about a 30-minute boat ride from Bali. The island has about 35,000 inhabitants."
After a day or so on Nusa Penida, the group traveled to Tiagan, where their service work began. Carolina says the experience was one she won't soon forget.
"It was really a great opportunity to help others," said Caroline, who will attend Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., in the fall.
"Kids like Caroline ... thank goodness," Lasko said. "They look past themselves to do something for others."