All in a day's work

At least 250 military academy students have been sent to Aceh to help clear rubble and garbage from the streets of Banda Aceh, as well as to distribute aid to camps in tsunami-hit areas.

Over the last two days, some of them have been working around Baiturrahman Grand Mosque (see photo).

Maj. Sinaga, the students' supervisor, said the students were those in the last term of their study.

"Apart from humanitarian reasons, they have come to Aceh as part of their final assignment," he said.

The students were sent to severely hit areas like Banda Aceh, Meulaboh and Aceh Jaya.

Although they were assigned to assist with aid distribution and in cleaning up, the students were also required to help body retrievers in locations such as Lampisang, Lampaya, Lhok Nga and Lepung -- all in Aceh Besar regency.

In Banda Aceh alone, the state of the city is much improved, with Pasar Atjeh market, which is located next to Banda Aceh mosque, cleared of mud and debris. (JP/Ruslan Sangadji)