The AYCC is based on CARE's belief that encouraging community service, social responsibility and cultural exchange helps young people better understand the world around them and helps make them better global citizens. It gives high school students an opportunity to learn about the challenges people face in the developing world, and also gives the students an opportunity to become engaged and help effect change in the lives of poor families. In turn, AYCC members bring their support and enthusiasm to a worthy cause.

Each chapter of the AYCC is expected to exemplify CARE's core values: Respect for the dignity and worth of every human being; Integrity demonstrated by honesty and responsibility; Commitment to serving the larger community; and Excellence in all that we do.

What project is the AYCC supporting?
This year, the AYCC is working to support CARE's Girls' Education Project in Guatemala. CARE has worked in Guatemala since 1959, overseeing projects to improve people's lives through better health, education and natural resource management. The Girls' Education Project works to promote girls' school attendance, education and self-esteem. In impoverished rural areas of Guatemala, only 44 percent of young girls are enrolled in school, and two-thirds of these girls drop out before reaching third grade. The project carries out promotional campaigns, strengthens parent-teacher associations, and helps form educational savings groups, which aid mothers in funding their daughters' primary education.

Selected students from the AYCC are invited to take a one-week trip to Guatemala to visit some of the projects supported by their fund-raising activities. The trip will allow students to interact with local youth, meet the community and work with project participants.

How were trip participants chosen?
Interested applicants wrote essays, provided letters of recommendation and were interviewed by a panel of prominent community leaders, CARE and Delta Air Lines staff. Of a pool of more than 25 students, 10 were invited to travel with CARE.

How did AYCC members prepare for the trip?
In order to build "team spirit" and learn more about what to expect while traveling in Guatemala, AYCC members gathered several times before the trip and participated in exciting workshops and discussions where they learned about Latin American history and culture. They also participated in cross-cultural simulations and mini-case studies on development and environmental awareness. CARE staffers from Guatemala led role-playing exercises designed to help AYCC students overcome language and cultural barriers. Students got tips and instruction about how to make this adventure as safe, comfortable, exciting and educational as possible.

How do I become an AYCC member?
If you are a high school student in the Atlanta area and would like more information about AYCC, or to start a Youth Committee for CARE in your area, please contact: