Defying convention in its process and cinematic language, Patang united a community ravaged by religious conflict and natural disaster.

"Particularly in communities ravaged by homelessness, poverty, drugs and violence, schools must become refuges, not only for children, but also for their families," the report said.

For example, in many communities ravaged by azalea-munching deer some homeowners still cannot resist putting out 50-pound sacks of corn to attract the graceful creatures.

Charlotte Street, meanwhile, has lost its cachet as a symbol of urban decay to communities ravaged by drug abuse.

Through its disaster relief capacity, it is able to bring front line emergency help to those communities ravaged by war, earthquake or other calamities.

The school opened in August, drawing 266 students from three communities ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.

Its story offers a rare and intimate look at one community ravaged by the plague.

Its principal task has been to escort land convoys of food and medicine to communities ravaged by the Bosnian war.

Military trucks and armored police vans brought a few hours peace to Kalksteenfontein Elementary School this morning so that a community ravaged by violence could pay tribute to another slain child.

Recently, 600 volunteers from Episcopal congregations across the United States took turns building homes in Honduran communities ravaged by Hurricane Mitch.