In January 2025 we had a big visit to the Lac Thien Orphanage. It’s the time of Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, and we wanted the orphanage to have everything they needed for a big party for the children. We coordinated with the caretakers and arranged to bring special Tet gifts on our next visit, in addition to the monthly allotment of food and general supplies.
The caretakers had recently refurbished the front of the orphanage, and it was a treat to see the new tiles and paint on the walls. The children came out to meet our team and help stack all the supplies. For monthly provisions, we brought fish sauce, rice paper, noodles, bags of rice, sugar, milk, boxes of ramen, bamboo shoots, seasonings, canned fish, soy sauce, pork chops, cooking oil, laundry detergent, cleaning products, shampoo, wipes, and hand soap.
For the Lunar New Year, we brought candied sweets, bird nest drink, soft drinks, Tet decorations, and traditional Tet foods.
Finally, our team handed out yogurt cups to all the children. This holiday visit was made possible by the kind donations from Christopher Dang and a donation from the Kinghurst Foundation. Thank you!!!
ABOUT THE LAC THIEN ORPHANAGE
Founded in 2006, the Lac Thien Orphanage is part of the Phat Buu pagoda and lies north of Nha Trang in Ninh Hoa district. The orphanage’s origins are endearing. On a peaceful day, a baby was left at the gates of the pagoda. The nuns cared for him, and from that day on they have taken in orphan children from the area. The orphanage is run by the nuns of the pagoda and its head nun, Chon Minh. They rely entirely upon donations, most of which come from people in the community. There are about 30 children at the orphanage, from newborns to teenagers, and Lac Thien also takes in elderly whose family cannot care for them.
