After many decades of war, poverty, and oppression in Vietnam, there are hundreds of thousands of desperately poor people in need of assistance. Although the political situation is still fragile, the government is becoming more tolerant of humanistic projects to relieve the widespread suffering within the country. For example, monks and nuns in temples throughout Vietnam are helping poor children who live on the street, “making their living” by pickpocketing and dealing in dangerous pursuits. The temples serve as daycare centers for 20-100 young people who can come and receive some instruction in basic skills as well as Buddhist practice.
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After many decades of war, poverty, and oppression in Vietnam, there are hundreds of thousands of desperately poor people in need of assistance. Although the political situation is still fragile, the government is becoming more tolerant of humanistic projects to relieve the widespread suffering within the country. For example, monks and nuns in temples throughout Vietnam are helping poor children who live on the street, "making their living" by pickpocketing and dealing in dangerous pursuits. The temples serve as daycare centers for 20-100 young people who can come and receive some instruction in basic skills as well as Buddhist practice. And the children are given a good mid-day meal. In some cases, a child is encouraged to stay all day and is given a scholarship of some rice to take home to his or her family in exchange for the commitment to stay off the street and do something more wholesome at the day-care center. Presently, Sister Cao Ngoc Phuong and the Unified Buddhist Church are supporting six such centers, two in Hue and four in Saigon, as well as staying in touch with more than 20 temples in Thua Thien and Quang Tri provinces that provide daycare services.
This important work of being in touch with the suffering of hungry, desperate people and helping them restore their dignity as human beings needs your assistance. The monthly cost of one child's meal and participation in the day-care program is $30. The Unified Buddhist Church hopes to send at least $300 a month to each of the six day-care centers with whom it is in direct contact. Please consider making a contribution to help sustain this work. Checks can be made payable to "Unified Buddhist Church" and sent to Sister Cao Ngoc Phuong, Plum Village, Meyrac, 47120 Loubes-Bernac, France. Tax-deductible contributions in the United States can be made through the Community of Mindful Living, P.O. Box 7355, Berkeley, CA 94707
