Standing in front of the Princess Hotel in Guatemala City -- the place our journey began just six short days ago -- members of the CARE Youth Corps (CYC) bid a tearful good-bye to our Guatemalan mamá and tour guide, Eileen Rivera.

Guatemalan mamá and tour guide, Eileen Rivera speaks with Neena Panjwani through the CARE bus window. (All Photos © CARE 2002/David Rochkind)

"The trip would not have been the same without you," says Philip Martin, as he gives her a hug. Eileen and her son, Miguel, embrace their large group of newfound friends as we stand outside of the hotel awaiting our luggage.

"She brought the culture alive," states Hammad Ahmed.

And she did -- in more ways than one. Not only did Eileen, Miguel and his sister Eileencita, work as our guides and translators for the week-long journey, but they served as endless sources of cultural and historical information, and as additional safety-nets in an unfamiliar home.

In the past week, the Rivera team has been more beneficial to us than any single supply we brought from home. They were the conduits of our connections, and this makes their departure much more emotional.

Wintta Woldemariam uses a tissue to wipe the tears forming in her eyes as she presents Eileen with her gift and her gratitude for her help.

CYC members found themselves traveling the road less taken during their trip to Guatemala.

"Thanks for being so tolerant of our differences, and willing to help us and teach us," she says. "Eileen, you're the greatest."

More hugs and well wishes proceed until a cab pulls up and whisks our "compadres" away to their home outside of the city.

Even though the end of the trip is upon us, the lessons we've learned, the memories and connections we've made, and the things we've seen are still with us. I have been the annalist for this week, but with so many perceptions and so many views, it is time the rest of the CYC told the world about their trip. Hammad Ahmed, Wintta Woldemariam, Philip Martin, Jerrell Jordan, Nisha Jain, Neena Panjwani, Clare Cameron and Kathryn Ebert are all narrators and hopefully, upon our arrival home tomorrow, their stories will be told in full. But until then, here is the story of the CARE Youth Corps.

From one and all:

Our time in Guatemala has been precious. These seven days, which passed by like seven minutes, held the experiences of seven years. On this journey, each individual has created a niche that allows us to compensate for each other's weaknesses. Kathryn is the polite Georgia Peach; Kenneth, the observant and insightful writer; Hammad is the adaptable man with the iron stomach; Jerrell is our prankster extraordinaire, adding youthful laughter to every day; Nisha and Neena are the inseparable sweet-spirited girls; Clare is the often understated intellectual powerhouse; Philip, or Felipe, as he is called here, is the well-traveled yet humble hermano; and Wintta is our protective diva and slang queen.

CYC members had glimpses into the lives of Guatemalan homemakers.

As for the adults, Eileen and family are nurturing, patient and loving in welcoming us to their home; Christine Frias -- the representative from Delta Air Lines who joined our trip -- serves as the bridge between adults and youth; Ruth Fuller is the enthusiastic worker bee; Chris and David are always there with the never-ending rolls of film; and Mia's undying dedication and sacrifice teach us the value of commitment to both the group and to the projects.

Each member of the group adds an element that enhances our strengths and remedies our flaws. Working with such a cross-cultural collective allows each individual to gain a greater understanding of the world around us.

The students got a firsthand look at the labor of farming in rural Guatemala.

The past week has allowed each member of the CYC to gain new perspectives and conquer misguided assumptions. Through our activities, we have learned that hard work isn't always measured in dollars. The happiness and resourcefulness of the people we've encountered has taught us that life is not contingent upon tangible possessions.

Our trip has been very different from the typical vacation because, for a few moments each day, we became the people we met. We were Eliasa, the soccer player; Lucas, the potato farmer; Adelaida, the housewife; and Carmen, the teacher.

Guatemala's schoolchildren stand as a hopeful promise for their country's future.

Eliasa finds joy through soccer and he shares his joy with his friends, his team and us. Lucas farms on a steep hill to provide food and income for his family. He literally creates crops where it seems impossible. Adelaida has a family to support, including the families of her two sisters. She cooks and cleans for her home and organizes education projects with her community. Carmen is a source of education and respect for all of her students -- particularly the girls in her school and her community.

CARE Youth Corps raises money to help in the fight against poverty in Guatemala. But while we were raising money to help others, we overlooked what we might get in return. Well, the past week has opened our eyes. We came, we saw, but they conquered. Now all that is left is to ensure that their conquests grow stronger.

Journal entries are written by Kenneth Butler, student-writer for the CARE Youth Corps.