CLICK THUMBNAIL TO VIEW PICTURES As soon as we heard the news on Friday afternoon we packed water and food and boarded a boat for a short 10 hour boat ride to Saint Bernard in Southern Leyte. Where a collapsed mountainside had entombed a village of 1,800 people in the remote village of Guinsaugon. We wanted to do anything we could to help these people. A pile of mud and debris covered the area where Guinsaugon, a farming community in Southern Leyte province once stood. We where some of the first to arrive on Saturday 7: 00 a.m. to join other rescuers with hope for saving mudslide survivors. Battling deep, shifting mud and heavy rain, search teams focused on a school packed with more than 250 children and staff. The mud was as deep as 10 metres (32 feet) in some places. Not to mention a raging river that separated the acres and acres of mud and debris from the main road making the rescue efforts even more difficult.There is very little evidence of where the village once stood.
Hundreds of volunteers continued to arrive to help the rescue efforts. The US Military aided in using 2 helicopters to transport food, water and supplies to the disaster area.
Those wishing to donate can using www.xoom.com
C/O Father Fancisco Vega
San Isidro Parish
St. Bernard, Maasin
6616 Leyte Philippines
0919-8433246
Email: [email protected]
Despite this natural disaster the people are amazing and Philippines in general is really beautiful.
Be careful and hope to see you again soon.
Comment