This February, our team had the heartwarming privilege of returning to the Loc Tho Charity School to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Knowing that many of these students come from underprivileged backgrounds, we wanted to ensure the biggest holiday of the year was filled with extra magic and support.
Essential Support for the School
The children took a brief hiatus from their lessons to welcome us in the main courtyard. To support the school’s daily operations and the children’s nutrition, we delivered a massive haul of supplies, including:
- Pantry Staples: Rice, noodles, mushrooms, sugar, cooking oil, and seasonings.
- Fresh Goods: A variety of fresh vegetables and seasonal fruits.
- Health & Hygiene: Milk, instant soup, toothpaste, dishwashing liquid, and cleaning supplies.
Festive Gifts & Sweet Surprises
To make the Tet holiday truly special, every child received a comprehensive gift set to take home to their families. These sets were packed with traditional treats like Banh Tet (sticky rice cakes), sunflower seeds, festive sweets, and soft drinks.
We also took a moment to honor the school’s incredible caretakers, providing them with gift packages in recognition of their selfless, tireless dedication to these children.
A Grand Finale
The visit concluded with a flurry of excitement: a school-wide ice cream party! Watching the children wander the courtyard with ice cream cones and “smiling ice cream faces” was the perfect end to our celebration.
This meaningful holiday visit was made possible entirely through the compassion and generosity of our donors: Luanne Lemmer, Littlechad Newfield, and Autumn Mejia. This visit was also sponsored in loving memory of Thieu Mac, mother of Mrs. They-Zung (Mac) White. Thank you for bringing the spirit of Tet to Loc Tho.
ABOUT THE LOC THO CHARITY SCHOOL
The Loc Tho Charity School, established in 1991 by Sister Thich Nu Dieu Y, has a long-standing history of providing free education to underprivileged children. Sister Dieu Y dedicated her life to this cause, and after her passing in 2014, the compassionate nuns of the Loc Tho Pagoda have continued her incredible work.
This primary school offers a vital service to the community, providing a free education for children whose families cannot afford public schooling. The school covers all expenses, including textbooks, uniforms, shoes, school supplies, and teachers’ fees, ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn. Beyond academics, Loc Tho Charity School also provides breakfast and lunch for its students and offers a nurturing home for several orphans and foster children.
