The Shaolin Temple in Songshan Mountain, central China's Henan Province has donated more tan 500,000 yuan (about US$61,730) to the 1,309 orphans in the province.

According to sources from the temple, money is raised by the Shaolin Temple through a joint program with the Henan Provincial Charity Federation in a bid to help orphanized children. The program was rolled out in April of 2004 and this is the second charity money to be handed over to the orphans.

According to the program, each orphan will get 560 yuan (about US$70) a year before they reach age 18, including 360 yuan(US$44.4) for living expenses and 100-yuan tuition (US$12.3).

(Xinhua News Agency December 21, 2005)