13-Year-Old Humanitarian
writer: liz werner
photographer: jack kurtz
Austin cares tremendously about the
welfare of others. In fact, he does more than just care; he acts. |
Austin Gutwein surrounded by a few of his favorite basketballs. |
| Austin Gutwein from Arizona is the quintessential 13 year old. He likes basketball, videogames and girls, yet has not become "too cool" to spend time with his family. Full of energy and innocence, he is a fresh-faced reminder of the ineffable spirit of the young. Although Austin's attitudes and hobbies mimic those of most young teens, he has another passion that few his age - and even older - find the motivation and direction to act upon. Austin cares tremendously about the welfare of others. In fact, he does more than just care; he acts. |
Austin plays basketball with his father, Dan Gutwein. "[Austin] is a kid who, if he sees something that he believes is an injustice or a wrong, . he wants to solve the problem," Dan Gutwein says.
Austin and his mom, Denise Gutwein, play foosball. |
"When he identifies a problem, he can't handle sitting back and accepting it as something that's just going to be; he wants to make a difference," Austin's father explains. |
For the past three years, Austin has been on a mission to help children in Africa who experience the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS on their families. He first became aware of th e problems associated with HIV/AIDS through correspondence with a pen pal in Africa. As Austin began learning more about his pen pal, he gained a new perspective on the problems facing those in other parts of the world. “My pen pal … was the first one to open my eyes to the world outside of my own backyard,” Austin says. One of the harsh realities that struck a chord with Austin was the fact that many kids become orphaned as a result of a parent contracting HIV. “I started to think about what it would be like if I lost my parents,” says Austin. “I just felt called to help.”
Experiencing a sense of generational angst, Austin became frustrated by the dearth of involvement opportunities for kids his age. “It seems like there are so many things for adults and college students to do, but there’s not a whole lot of things for elementary and junior high students to do,” explains Austin. After taking an inventory of his own talents and interests, he decided to raise support for orphans in Africa by doing what he loves: shooting hoops. |
A Zambian student at Chilwi basic middle school plays with a soccer ball provided by World Vision.
photo | Brian Sytsma/World Vision |
Six-year-old Kyle (right) with Austin (left) as he shoots free throws during the Hoops of Hope shoot-a-thon on world aids day 2006. photo | David Kadulbowski/Genesis Photos |
On World AIDS Day 2004, at age 10, Austin shot 2,057 free throws to represent the number of children who would be orphaned because of AIDS during that school day. In connection with World Vision, Austin approached individuals in his community to sponsor his endeavor. That year Austin raised $3,000 USD, which he gave to World Vision to be used to help eight orphans in Africa.
Initially Austin thought his free throw shoot-a-thon would be a one-time event. However, once completed, he did not feel fulfilled with helping only eight orphans. “I realized that there was a whole lot more children out there and I didn’t feel satisfied with just helping as many as I had helped,” Austin says. In coordination with World Vision, Austin started recruiting other kids to shoot free throws with him annually on World AIDS Day. The shoot-a-thon is now referred to as Hoops of Hope and has raised over $125,000 USD to date. Hoops of Hope has participants in over 20 states in the US, with an increasing number of adults joining in the free throw challenge. The Hoops of Hope Web site makes it easy for individuals, teams and supporters to get involved by offering registration and sponsorship links. |
| |
| |
| next |
|
WORK
GENEROSITY
FUTURE
HOME
HEALTH
KIDS
ONE
COOPERATION
DIALOGUE
CONTRIBUTORS
ORGANIZATIONS
Join us in continuing to tell the stories of hope and change
Give NEED a try with a FREE Preview Issue
Don't miss an issue
 |
