On 17th February 2006, a landslide occurred in the province of Southern Leyte, Philippines. Following days of heavy rainfall, the hillside above the village of Guinsaugon collapsed sending tonnes of mud and boulders onto the houses and other buildings below.

The landslide smothered the village killing approximately 60% of the population, some 950 people in total. Amongst those killed were all of the staff and all of the pupils of the Elementary School. 284 children lost their lives.

Near to the village, approximately 270 children were in lessons at the High School. Almost every child lost one, or both parents in the landslide.

The rescue effort that followed found few survivors in the mud, which was over 30 metres deep. The bodies of those who died remain in the ground.

Following a survey of the area nearby, the Government evacuated some 300 families from their homes, fearing that they were in danger of similar landslides. These families remain in makeshift accommodation.

Foreign aid enabled a new village to be built to house those who lost their homes. The village includes houses, a school, village hall and medical centre. Everything it seems, except somewhere for the children to play.

The Philippines Playground Project aims to address this by building a children’s adventure playground in the village, surrounded by gardens which it is hoped will act as a social centre for the villagers.

The act of a number of international volunteers giving up their time to raise money to build the playground, will serve as a gesture of goodwill and the playground will serve as a memorial to those who died in the landslide.
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On 17th February 2006, a landslide occurred in the province of Southern Leyte, Philippines. Following days of heavy rainfall, the hillside above the village of Guinsaugon collapsed sending tonnes of mud and boulders onto the houses and other buildings below.

The landslide smothered the village killing approximately 60% of the population, some 950 people in total. Amongst those killed were all of the staff and all of the pupils of the Elementary School. 284 children lost their lives.

Near to... (read more)