Banding together

In teams and on their own initiative, they have come to the towns and cities of Aceh, torn apart by the Dec. 26 earthquake and ensuing tsunami.

While the disaster was awesome and unprecedented, the outpouring of sympathy and concern has been equally immense, including from volunteers, both from within the country and abroad.

The western corner of Sumatra is a world away from their homelands for some of them, like the experienced rescue and recovery teams of Mexico City.

For others, like those from Singapore and Malaysia, their presence is about being a good neighbor in a tough time.

Whatever their background, they have been drawn by the mission to help those who now cannot help themselves -- and start them on the road to rebuilding their lives. -- JP