(VOVworld) – Venerable Thich Le Tan of Giac Hoa pagoda in Hau Thanh Dong commune, Long An province, has been involved in charity and social programs for 10 years. He has raised hundreds of thousands of USD to build rural transport facilities and support poor people. He has been recognized by the Vietnam Guinness Book Center for helping to build the most humanitarian facilities in Long An. Thuy Canh reports:

Between 2009 and 2013, Venerable Tan raised nearly 700,000 USD for social activities, half o which was used to build 48 concrete bridges. Construction of a 80,000 USD bridge spanning the Duong Van Duong river began in late 2013. The money was contributed by the local budget, Buddhist followers, and generous individuals. In the first 6 months of this year, the Venerable raised 180,000 USD to build 11 bridges for Tan Thanh district. Truong Van Vinh of Hau Thanh Dong commune said: “We were happy to hear that Venerable Tan had been raising money to build this bridge. We contributed our labor to build the bridge, which will make our lives easier. The bridge was finished in just 50 days.”

In addition to calling for donations, Venerable Tan has also designed an inexpensive yet durable bridge. His design has quickly been replicated throughout Long An and adjacent provinces. Le Hoang Manh of Hau Thanh Dong commune said: “We’ve been waiting for such a bridge for quite a long time. We will contribute our labor to finish it as quickly as possible.”

Venerable Tan has also been caring for the province’s less fortunate. In the first 6 months of the year, he and other monks at Giac Hoa pagoda presented 400 gifts to poor students and heroic Vietnamese mothers, former supporters of the revolution, and elderly people without families, and have provided 400 free eye operations. These activities cost approximately 240,000 USD. Venerable Tan says he wants to build as many bridges as possible to ease travel for local people: “We have been cooperating with the local government and the public in building new rural areas. This will improve people’s lives.”