Thanh Son Pagoda in Khanh Hoa Province takes care of 107 children, helping them towards a better tomorrow.
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| A second chance |
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| Chief Monk Thich Thanh Quang giving a lesson |
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| A meal at the pagoda |
Many families which have financial difficulties have had to send their children to this pagoda not only for moral instruction, but for the chance at an education and a brighter future.
Offering a life preserver
Thanh Son Pagoda was opened in 1870, and restored in 1999. In 1996 they started to accept children under suffered from difficult circumstances. Initially, the pagoda, in Thuy Trieu Village, Cam Hai Dong Commune, Cam Lam District, looked after just 20 children, giving them a chance to go to school.
Chief Monk Thich Thanh Quang said, “At that time living conditions here were very difficult, and most kids didn’t have a chance to study. Even children from more fortunate families would go to school for a few years and then have to drop out. But education is important to have a chance for a good future. That’s why we started accepting them here.”
There have been days where up to 20 children, including newborn babies, were left at the pagoda. The chief monk said, “The newest member of our little community is Che Kim Phat, who was left in a basket under a tree in the pagoda last February. We had to nurture him back to health.”
The pagoda admits not only local children, but those from other places as well, such as Binh Dinh, Dak Lak, Ho Chi Minh City, Tien Giang and Dong Thap provinces.
“Learning is top priority”
The children learn at local schools, and the pagoda covers all tuition fees for them.
The monk said, “Learning must be considered a top priority. Without knowledge, children will not have a good chance in life."
10 students from the pagoda have managed to pass their entrance exams to colleges and universities. Brothers Nguyen Ngoc Pi Doanh and Nguyen Ngoc Pi Zon in Dien Khanh District, Khanh Hoa Province are among outstanding examples.
They’d had to quit school in the 9th grade, but were sent to the pagoda where they were given a chance to continue their studies. Currently, Pi Doanh is in his 5th year of Ho Chi Minh City Medicine and Pharmacy University.
Pi Zon is the third year of Banking University of Ho Chi Minh City. Another example is Nguyen Dinh Nghia who is a student of Ho Chi Minh City Architecture University.
The pagoda also pays the tuition fees for higher education for children who can make it. Those who are not admitted to university have a chance to attend vocational training courses.
