As most in the world know, a terrible tsunami hit Aceh, Indonesia on December 26th, 2005. Thousands of lives were lost or changed forever that day. Soon after the disaster, students from the Jakarta International School (where I teach) wrote letters to children that survived the tsunami. It didn't take long to start a letter campaign that stretched all over the world. The children in Aceh soon wrote letters back. The letters were very heart warming, and some would instantly bring you to tears. Jakarta International School decided to publish many of the letters to and from Aceh into a book called, "Letters from Aceh" that was launched in November last year. All proceeds go to Aceh to build a new school. I was fortunate enough to be asked to go to Aceh to take the photographs for the book. This gallery contains the photos I took while in Aceh for a two day visit 6 months after the tsunami.

The Indonesian people never cease to amaze me. The people in Aceh were the most friendly, kind, and happy people I had ever encountered. You would expect the opposite after such a tragedy. I was greeted with smiles, kids playing in the streets, and the most welcoming handshakes. Not once did I hear anyone complain about their unfortunate situation while I was there. I met some kids that had lost their entire families, everything they owned and valued was destroyed...and yet, they rushed over to me with big smiles and a big hello, and had an incredible understanding and attitude about life. I talked with an eight year old girl that told the most unbelievable story of survival. She told me how she watched her entire family be swept away forever in "the terrible monster". This eight year old girl had the maturity and thoughts of a 30 year old. She told me, "we must just live on, and not think about what God has decided is best". I was floored. We could all learn a great deal from these kids and how they think.

Please enjoy the photos (I will be adding more), and vote if you wish.....cheers, Scotty