On January 19, thirteen orphans were taken from an unlicensed pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City, where they had been ill-treated.
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| Tien Phuoc 2 Pagoda |
The children were moved to Thu Duc Youth Village, thanks to great efforts of the municipal authorities and Dantri/DTiNews.
A baby’s death raised questions
In late August, 2010, Dantri/DTiNews received a letter from a reader named Mrs P., informing us of a baby girl’s death in a “pagoda” named Tien Phuoc 2, managed by a 56-year old “nun”, Nguyen Thi Van. The letter also hinted at other abnoramalities.
According to the letter, Quynh suffered from a heart-related disease, and she urgently she needed a transplant. Still, even after many generous people came by to give their money to help save the girl’s life, she was not taken to the hospital. She was kept at the pagoda until she died.
Apparently, the little girl was kept in a cradle near the door just to attract visitors attention and donations.
In 2009, another baby named Nguyen Thanh Giau died of AIDS at the same pagoda.
Mrs. P. said that the pagoda took care of 13 children, ranging in ages from 2 to 13, however, regardless of their age they all received the same amount of food each day.
She added that, “I bought some fans for babies’ room, but some days later, they weren’t there anymore. Other people donated heaters, but they vanished too. One-month old babies were treated to cold baths. Now I know the character of the nun who runs the pagoda. Her only concern is getting donations.”
Reportedly, Ms. Van also hit the children under her care, shoved their backs to make them lay face down and held their noses while feeding them. Many of the children had scabies, due to the unclean conditions.
Mrs S. who worked for the nun, recalled that two boys, Thanh and Tien, suffered the brunt of the violence. Van would hit them over their heads with a pestle. Five employees of the pagoda quit their jobs in fear of Ms Van, according to Ms. S.
Dantri/DTiNews was the first to publish this case, with a host of articles attempting to uncover the wrongdoings that went on behind the pagoda’s closed doors.
Letters from our readers were also sent to the HCM City Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, requesting that they deal with this problem in a timely manner.
DTiNews to foster the kids
It was the information provided our the readers that resulted in the decision by the city Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs to dissolve Tien Phuoc 2, and move the children residing there to another location.
The children were quite happy to be taken to the Thu Duc Youth Village, a respected pubic orphanage.
When the children were being taken, Ms. Van cried out and tried to stop them from leaving. She also cursed at Dantri/DTiNews reporters. Her words and behaviour frightened the kids as she vowed to get them back one day.
Dantri/DTiNews has agreed to foster the orphans after the pagoda was closed.
According to the People’s Committee of Binh Tan District, the pagoda was in violation of standard financial and hygienic requirements.
Superior Buddhist Monk Thich Nhat An, from the Binh Tan Buddhist Representative Board, said in 1990s, Mr. Van came to Binh Tan for advice on how to build the pagoda and also asked for the board’s help on achieving charity status. The board instructed to work with the local education agency. From then on he hasn’t heard from her.
He added that because Ms. Van didn’t join the activities of the city\'s Buddhist Sangha, they’ve had no information about her or her activities, and have no association with her.
The Sangha will cooperate with authorities of Binh Tan District to deal with the case of Tien Phuoc 2 Pagoda.
A child suffers from skin disease in the “pagoda”
"Beds" for the kids
Hoa Quynh suffered from scabies before she died
Children never received donations
Crocodile tears
Van tries her best to keep custody
Going to Thu Duc Youth Village
and beginning a better life at their new home
