TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - More than a dozen volunteers from the United Arab Emirates are helping to rebuild damage in Tuscaloosa from the April 27, 2011, tornado.
The Tuscaloosa News reports that the 13 volunteers traveled more than 30 hours to get to Tuscaloosa this week. They're part of a volunteer social program called Takatof, part of the Emirates Foundation for Youth Development. Takatof has helped mobilize volunteers and has sent them all over the world, including China, Korea, Africa and Pakistan.
Last year, a group of volunteers went to Joplin, Mo., to help rebuild homes there after the devastating tornado wiped out much of that city. Organization members say the Missouri trip was such a rewarding experience for the volunteers that another trip was planned, this time to Tuscaloosa.
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