On March 31, 2013 we traveled to Phu Yen province and visited the Hai Son pagoda and its amazing orphanage. Ngoc had heard about a poor orphanage in the province north of Nha Trang, and immediately set about raising funds and recruiting volunteers to make the journey. At 3 hours from Nha Trang, it’s safe to say they get few to zero visitors from the big city.
The pagoda and orphanage are down a small dirt path that was too narrow for our bus. When Ngoc arrived they loaded up all of the donations onto bicycles and walked through the poor village to the orphanage. Set in a peaceful countryside, Hai Son is extremely poor, and the nuns at the pagoda have to walk through the streets asking for food for the children.
Our team was greeted by smiling orphans, most of whom are under ten years old. After playing with the kids and talking with the nuns, our team was given a lovely vegetarian lunch, followed by a martial arts performance from some of the orphanage’s youngsters. It was an amazing visit!
Thanks to all of the donors and to Ngoc for putting it all together!
