After the earthquake on Monday, 9 teachers in a primary school in Beichuan County came to the help of 71 students left homeless. After a six hour march over mountains and through the rain, the teachers successfully brought the students to a safe place.

The primary school lies at the foot of a mountain. When the quake occurred, 71 students were still in the school. The teachers decided to move the students to a place where they'd be safe.

Xiao Xiaochuan, teacher of Hanlong Hope School, Beichuan, said, "The situation was dangerous and complex. Stones fell from the mountain and the earth under us collapsed. The roads were so muddy that we could hardly move."

After six hours walking and searching for a safe spot, the group arrived in Renjiaba, where they could finally breathe a sigh of relief. They were then sent to a school in Mianyang City. The arrival of the students drew the attention of local residents. They came with clothes, books and medicine. Some residents even hosted the students at home.

Mianyang resident Zhang Yifeng said, "We live on the ground floor, which is comparatively safer. I took the kids home to wash up and gave them some clean clothes."

Xiao Xiaochuan, teacher of Hanlong Hope School, Beichuan, said, "Many people came with food, and they didn't even give their names."

Outside the school, a truck arrived with 5 tons of rice. Staff said donations will be flooding in over the next few days. With the care and love of the local community, the students were given a new home, temporary but warm.

(CCTV May 17, 2008)