SALISBURY students braved close encounters with crocodiles in a leaky canoe during a visit to Nepal.

Ellie Abbott, Adam Harris and Selina Sheldon along with three other students from Salisbury Sixth Form College travelled to earthquake hit Nepal to work with school children in Kathmandu.

The group of six have been reflecting on their experiences.

Ellie said: "It was such an experience I enjoyed it so much."

During their two week stay in the country they helped to transform classrooms at Yuva Prativa School by painting them with colourful murals.

"We couldn't have asked for a better school to have gone to, they were so welcoming," said Ellie. "Painting the three classrooms was not the hardest job but they were so appreciative of it and thought it was the best thing ever. You feel you have done something for the greater good."

The students also visited the Sunshine School, which was funded by the disaster relief charity, but due to fuel crisis they were not able to spend a whole week there.

As part of their visit the students spoke to children about the importance of dental care and hygiene, and ran different activities with them. Before their trip they collected about 150 tooth brushes to give to the children.

Venturing away from the classroom, the group also got to visit Chitwan National Park and an elephant sanctuary.

The students had a close encounter with some crocodiles when cruising down the river in a leaky canoe. Ellie, Adam and Selina described seeing crocodiles sliding off the banks into the water beside them as they floated down the river and felt they were getting a little to close for comfort. Adam, who admits it was not a fun experience for him, said: "I'm sure we hit a crocodile, but we were told it was a rock."

Since returning from their trip the students say the experience has inspired them to raise money for the MSPN Centre. The students visited the centre to see its work supporting children with HIV.

Ellie, Adam and Selina say the visit has made them appreciate the small things in life and think more about waste and fuel use after witnessing the fuel crisis in Nepal. They are keen to go back.

Adam added: "Now, I've done it I really want to do it again."