Charity school closed over deplorable condition

A school for disabled children and orphans in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong was shut down early this week after it was found to be in poor condition and unable to provide for the children's needs.

Located in Bao Loc Town, the Tia Sang charity school was shut down Tuesday after the local People's Committee ordered its closure.

Tia Sang was founded in 2002 to provide homeless, disabled, and agent orange-affected children with a place to live and an education.

But authorities say that since it opened, the school has been ill-equipped and lacking professionally trained teachers and healthcare staff. School staff also failed to file regular financial reports, according to local authorities.

Staff member Bui Thi Thanh said, 'Despite a lot of money being donated to the school, students here weren't taken good care of and were provided with a mere VND2,000 (12 US cents) a day to eat.'

Thanh also said many children suffered skin diseases due to poor hygiene at the school.

Other staff have also accused the school's managers of 'selling' students for VND20-22 million ($1,170-1,280) each.

A family from Loc An Commune, who asked not to be named, said, "We saw on TV in 2007 that Tia Sang School was caring for a homeless four-year-old girl, so we came to the school to ask to adopt her. But Principal Nguyen Van Manh asked us to [first] give the school VND20 million in 'support.'"

Staff told police that at least five children from the school have been adopted out for a price.

Bao Loc Town police say the investigation is ongoing.

Source: SGGP, Lao Dong