Duc Son Pagoda Orphanage 4.39

HISTORY

Duc Son orphanage was founded in 1986 by Nha Su Thich Nu Minh Tu. This softly spoken, remarkable woman is a native of Hue and witnessed the horrors of war first hand during the Vietnam War.

She was heart stricken by the plight of the thousands of children in Hue orphaned by the war. She resolved to devote her life to easing the suffering of traumatized children.

Nha Su Minh Tu's aim is to help abandoned children feel secure, to be well cared for and well prepared for their future lives. Her driving passion is the hope that every one of her "little birds will fly freely to a future of fulfillment and contentment." Of course that can only be achieved with courage, dedication, endless hard work and, of course, money.

The pagoda itself was built in 1964 by people who had fled the fierce fighting in Nam Dong district, near the border with Laos. They carried with them the bell and statue of Buddha from their pagoda. After the war many of the people returned to their former homes in Nam Dong. The pagoda remained and in 1986 the local government granted Nha Su Thich Nu Minh Tu the right to relocate her orphanage in the pagoda and its surrounding buildings