Everyday life at the pagoda

Lâm was inspired by the many comments on his last post, so he decided to write another about his experience living at the pagoda full-time during the program. Read on and be inspired yourself! (The picture on the left is of Lâm and a few of the core pagoda crew: Vu, Nhi, Phoung, Van Anh, Vy, and Quy.)

I worked and lived together with the children here over ten days. Many things need to be considered and contemplated. Sometimes, I wonder: what happens if I were a child here? I could not imagine and do not dare to do it.

These children probably do not lack in food as they are getting full care from Nun Su Co, but they are hungry for affection and education. They are certain getting love from Su Co and some foster sisters but it is really not enough. Observing these kids, I experience that I am very happy because of what I have: My parents, sister and brother, care of many friends...

To see it more clearly, I can tell you an everyday life of them: They get up at 6 o'clock. The small (6-10 years old) eat something for breakfast, the older get up earlier to clean baby bottle and make the formula. Then, they play together and have a class at 8. Some go to school. They eat lunch around 11 and have a rest. In the afternoon, playing with another until having dinner at 5:30. Next, taking a bath and going to sleep at 7:30. If we do not have some games for them, it maybe is the everyday fixed timetable. No television, no going to somewhere at weekend or visiting relatives. I recognized the love they gave to Brother Phong (John)--a benefactor of the pagoda--when he said goodbye to return to his hometown in Europe. Many hugged him tightly and cried.

However, it is also lucky that the pagoda is building [renovating], so they are going to be in modern new clean house. The new house is quite spacious. Thus, Su Co does not worry about the accommodation but a big problem is how to teach and lecture them to become good children?

While living with them, I realize they have quite enough material but lack in love, fondness, and care. Therefore, the program we are performing is really meaningful to these kids. I hope there are more and more volunteers come to play, to frolic, and also teach them knowledge.

To me, this is really a wonderful summer with many joys and much work.

-Lâm