Buddhist nun Thich Nu Lien Tam (first from left) and Buddhist followers preparing meals for people in quarantine. (Photo: VOV)

Located in a small alley in Chau Thanh district, Buu Tam pagoda is a destination for many disadvantaged people.

 Trang province has been hit hard by COVID-19 and a great number of people there are in quarantine. In recent months, many Soc Trang natives who were working in other localities have returned home and have had to enter quarantine in accordance with pandemic regulations.

To ease their burden, Thich Nu Lien Tam and other Buddhist nuns at the pagoda have been cooking free meals for affected people. More than 600 free meals are provided by Buu Tam pagoda every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

“Many Buddhist followers and benefactors have helped us provide free meals to people in quarantine. We want them to stay safe and return to their families,” said Thich Nu Lien Tam.

Tran Huynh Hoang Yen, a Buddhist follower in Chau Thanh district, said, “I help other Buddhist followers and nuns cook and deliver free meals to people in quarantine. We hope to make them feel more secure.”

This charity work has received strong support from benefactors like Mr. Nguyen Quoc Viet of Soc Trang city.

“Due to COVID-19, many Soc Trang natives who worked in Ho Chi Minh city have had to return home and are now in quarantine. I wanted to do something to help in the fight against the pandemic,” said Viet.

Buu Tam pagoda is currently home to 5 orphans and several elderly people in difficult circumstances.

Thich Nu Lien Tam was given a certificate of merit by the Chau Thanh district People’s Committee for her generosity during the pandemic and her wholehearted participation in charity work.