Hammad Ahmed, 16 – Chattahooche High School

Hammad likes to travel, read, play the piano and volunteer. Hammad says he joined the CARE Youth Corps because “I need to give help where help is needed.” Through his participation in the CYC, Hammad says he has learned about human nature and the human condition. He now has a more open-minded view of cultures and societies, Hammad says.

Kenneth Butler, Jr., 18 – Riverwood High School

Kenneth’s interests include creative writing, journalism and volunteering. An accomplished writer who hopes to pursue a career in journalism, Kenneth will serve as the student writer for this year’s trip. Kenneth says that being a member of the CARE Youth Corps has given him a new global perspective and sense of leadership.

Clare Cameron, 16 – The Latin School of Chicago

Clare enjoys reading, learning foreign languages and tennis. She is a member of her school’s field hockey team, soccer team, service club, model United Nations and school yearbook. A former CARE intern, Clare says she is “continually amazed and in awe of the work CARE does and the impact it has on others.” Thrilled to be a member of the Youth Corps, Clare says she is eager to promote and spread information about CARE.

Kathryn Ebert, 17 – Westminster High School

Kathryn enjoys community service work and being active in her church and school. She also loves to cook and is a member of the Culinary Society. Kathryn loves to help people in need and hopes that through the CARE Youth Corps she will grow and learn. She believes that a CYC member should be open-minded, generous, humble and loving.

Nisha Jain, 17 – Chattahoochee High School

Nisha spends her free time reading, writing, dancing and singing. A member of the National Honor Society, Nisha says she joined the CARE Youth Corps because she wanted to have the opportunity to affect people in a positive way. “Knowing that something I did helped brighten the lives of people or even one individual gives me the greatest feeling of satisfaction and elation I could possibly feel,” she says.

Philip Martin, 17 - North Shore Country Day School

Philip is a tennis player, who also likes to read and ski. He started a Foreign Affairs Club at his school to inform students and raise money for international issues. Recently, his club raised $1,000 to aid the rebuilding effort in Afghanistan. Philip says that upon his return, he hopes to share his experience in Guatemala with people to teach them about CARE’s work.

Neena Panjwani, 17 – Chattahoochee High School

Neena loves working with children and volunteers at her church to help children with their schoolwork. She joined the CARE Youth Corps because she wanted to help the girls in Guatemala to receive an education. Nina says she has a passion for helping people who are less fortunate than she is and knows that through the CYC, she can truly make a difference in the lives of the people she meets.

Wintta Woldemariam, 18 – Riverwood High School

Among her many extracurricular activities, Wintta is a member of the student government, debate team, school newspaper, Black History Committee and the National Honor Society. Fluent in Tigrynia, Wintta also speaks some French and Amharic. Wintta says she wanted to become a member of the CARE Youth Corps to contribute to CARE’s cause. “I feel that as an educated youth, I have the responsibility to take advantage of opportunities and use them to benefit others,” she says.

Ruth Fuller Web Team Managing Editor CARE

Ruth is the press officer for CARE’s Midwest Region, based in Chicago. She served as a writer/managing editor on CARE Youth Corps trips to Peru in 2000 and 2001. Ruth has an M.A. in Journalism and has worked as a reporter for the Chicago Tribune and Pioneer Press newspapers. Fluent in Spanish, Ruth has studied in Spain and Mexico. She and her husband Jeff have two daughters - Nicolette, 8 and Alexa, 3.

Chris Lockett Videographer

Chris is an experienced videographer who just completed his MFA in Cinematography from the American Film Institue, Chris' credits include work for PBS, CNN, FOX, Coca Cola Georgia Pacific and Georgia Power. He has shot approximately 80 short films, one feature film and several documentaries. Chris traveled with CARE to Haiti to shoot footage for "The Last Child: The global Race to End Polio." Chris and his wife Brenda live in Los Angeles.

Mia Redd Manager - Community Affairs CARE

Mia is CARE's manager of community affairs. As coordinator for CARE's volunteer activities and youth initiatives, Mia spearheads the CARE Youth Corps program. Mia has traveled with CARE to El Salvador and Guatemala.

David Rochkind Photographer

David is a recent graduate of the University of Michigan where he majored in Sociology, specializing in Social Inequality. During college, David had a photo internship at The Duluth News-Tribune. This fall, he will begin a photo internship at The Albuquerque Journal. David - who loves to travel and photograph the world - spent a year studying issues of development in Ecuador and Bolivia.

Christine M. Frias Manager - Corporate Communications Delta Air Lines

Christine is Manager of Corporate Communications -Latin America/Caribbean/U.S. Hispanic for Delta Air Lines at its world headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. She is responsible for media relations and employee communications for Latin America and the Caribbean. In this capacity, Christine identifies and implements community events in the Latin America countries served by Delta. Christine received her public relations degree from the University of Florida. She and her husband live in Atlanta.