FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (Nov. 1, 2012) -- Last spring, when Georgia Bussink, then a junior at Meade High School, learned that farmers in a village in Thailand were experiencing economic hardships, she decided to buy the village a cow.
Georgia, now a senior enrolled in the high school's International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, raised money, traveled to Thailand, purchased the cow and delivered it to the village as part of the requirements for the IB program's Creativity, Action and Service project.
All students in the IB Diploma Programme are required to complete a CAS project during their junior and senior years.
"The purpose of the CAS requirement is for students to enhance their personal and interpersonal development through experiential learning," said Jennifer Quinn, IB Diploma Programme coordinator. "CAS is both challenging and rewarding."
Georgia's aunt, Cherlux Junsanit, is from the Ban Non village in Thailand. About 800 people live in Ban Non and make their living as rice farmers.
When Junsanit learned that a family in her village was struggling, she sent money to help them. She and Georgia then decided to visit Thailand in the summer. Before the visit, Georgia thought about purchasing a cow to help the family while meeting the requirements of her CAS project.
"Most [of the villagers] are very poor," said the 17-year-old who lives in Laurel. "They live in houses that rarely have four walls. They don't have any running water or electricity. ... A cow can completely change a family's life. The milk proceeds will directly benefit the family, and the cow will be bred. Generations to come will be provided for."
Georgia and her family hosted a fundraising party at their home in May. They held a silent auction, provided games for children and served Thai food.
The event raised $1,084.
"I figured since we were visiting Thailand, I would try to get my community involved in direct global help," Georgia said.
In late June, Georgia used her own money to pay half of the expenses for her round-trip plane ticket to Thailand, which cost $1,600. Her father, a professional printer, paid the remainder and covered her expenses.
When Georgia arrived in Thailand, she purchased a 3-year-old cow in Khon Kaen, a large city near the village, for $600. The cow was transported from the city to Ban Non in a trailer. She was named "Lulu," Georgia's nickname.
The remaining funds were donated to the village.
Georgia, who stayed with her aunt in Ban Non and at nearby hotels during their two-week visit, said the villagers appreciated the gift.
"I could not understand them very well, but they seemed very thankful," Georgia recalled. "We participated in a ceremony where they blessed me and the cow."
Georgia said the experience taught her a great deal about what is important in life.
"The people in Thailand seem content with their lives," she said. "They seem generally happier than most people in America, despite their terrible conditions. They love their life and accept it. ... It was a great experience that made me appreciate luxuries and not depend on them so much."
Georgia said she keeps in touch with some of the villagers through Facebook. There is an Internet bar near the village.
After graduation next year, Georgia plans to study mountain recreation and resort management in college. She also aspires to a career in the U.S. Coast Guard.
"I really felt good about what I was doing," Georgia said. "It was a big accomplishment to be able to provide for the family for generations to come."
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