Authorities in the southern Ho Chi Minh City yesterday handed over 14 charity houses to locals in remote district Can Gio. The 14 houses cost VND450 million ($21,400) and were built from the “For The Poor People” Fund that has been upheld by donations of individuals and firms as well as contributions of state-owned and public agencies. The fund is under management of the Ho Chi Minh City’s Vietnam Fatherland Front – a voluntary political coalition of political and social organizations and individuals from all classes, ethnic groups, and religions, including overseas Vietnamese. In the past ten years, the front has campaigned and built over 2,000 houses of gratitude and almost 22,000 houses of charity for needy locals. It also gave away 300,000 scholarships and 8,000 bicycles for students to go to schools. (www.tuoitrenews.vn [1] Feb 23)
