For the time, with the same purpose of helping the disadvantaged people, as well assuring the social security, the Red Cross and Buddhism Sangha have joined up in plenty meaningful programs. All are for the noble charity.
Namely are the volunteer programs of the Red Cross and Buddhism Sangha collaborated in recent years, such as: Tet for the poor; Red Cross charity houses; scholarships and presents of bicycles; free heart surgery; visits, gifts giving and visits to people suffering from natural disasters.
Phap Nhu presents gifts to the poor. Photo: Q. Nhu
Senior Monk Thich Hue Thong, Chair of Trustees of the Provincial Vietnamese Buddhism Sangha (VBS) said: "Every year, the sangha works on charity drives of billions of VND through dozens of organizations and individuals, including the Red Cross of the province, districts, towns and Thu Dau Mot city.
It is because that charity relief is one of the main activities of the sangha. Each year, the monastic establishments presents Tet gifts to hundreds of local households and mobilizing people to go to Central and the North to present gifts to people hit by natural calamities and floods. The provincial sangha has also helped many children with congenital heart surgery and scholarships and bicycles for underprivileged children to overcome difficult conditions for schooling."
In addition to the charity trips to provinces Gia Lai, Tay Ninh, Binh Phuoc and abroad such as Laos and Cambodia, the sangha also helped to build up 12 charity houses in 2014.
Mr. Ho Hoang Nam, Deputy Chair of Binh Duong provincial Red Cross said: "The sangha and senior monks in the province are enthusiastic in the social security programs with the Red Cross.The monks not only call for donation but also directly join the drive to help people in need.
Most collaborative activities have wholeheartedly been supported. Thus, we earn many advantages in helping people in difficulties".Mr. Nam added that, for the time to come, the Red Cross and the sangha will continue to maintain more charity drives.He also proposed the idea of setting up clubs to help people suffering from cancer to relieve their costly treatment fees. "To do this we need the support of the sangha," said Nam additionally.
Reported by Quynh Nhu – Translated by Vi Bao
