Pupils allay fears after mud disaster (From Stroud News and Journal)

Pupils allay fears after mud disaster

STROUD students on a school trip to the Philippines have left a note on the school's website reassuring parents they are safe following the recent mudslide disaster.

Eight girls and two teachers from Stroud High School flew out on Friday, February 10 to spend two weeks working in the school their classmates built in Navotas, near Manila after raising £11,600.

The pupils, who have been working with the Philippines Community Fund, have been keeping a diary of their trip, which can be viewed at the school's website at http://www.school-portal.co.uk/GroupHomepage.asp?GroupID=59399

A message, which was left after last week's disaster in the central Philippines, read: "We are nowhere near the landslides, so don't worry anyone."

The mudslide, which buried a school and an estimated 500 houses in the village of Guinsaugon, near Leyte, happened after heavy rains dumped about 2m of water on the area over a 10-day period.

Rescue officials said between 1,500 and 2,500 people might be buried in the mud.