When I first heard about the Habitat for Humanity volunteer trip concept, my ears pricked up, recognizing a genuine product, designed to making real changes, rather than making the Rich feel good because they have done something to help solve the world's problems. From day one, I knew my trip was in good hands. Weeks before my trip to Guatemala, emails began arriving in my inbox encouraging us to raise money, informing us about the project and raising expectations. I realized that there will be about 150 volunteers and that the Habitat for Humanity office has set a goal of building 10 homes in just 5 days. I received detailed itineraries and knew that there was someone on the other end who took care of my food, accommodation, safety and travel. When we arrived in Nebaj, the small town where the houses were to be built, we found our accommodation, received information packets and protective helmets, and met a large group of volunteers whose enthusiasm and cheerfulness was difficult to contain. Coming to the site on Monday morning, I saw the foundation already laid and the trusses, lumber, plaster, other building materials and tools prepared. The toilets, information area, meal tent and cleaning area are neatly laid out to make our time on site as efficient as possible. Really, the first day raised a lot of eyebrows. With more than two hundred people on site, all eager to lend a hand, this could have ended in catastrophe had it not been for the impeccable organization of the site, the work and the individual groups. It didn't surprise me that on Friday 10 complete homes were dedicated to families of former orphans. During those five days I learned how to nail, cut and glue insulation to the exterior shell and cover it with plaster, build interior walls and add the final finish layer on the house. I also observed how these low-cost homes are created.