My story is unique.

 

The first part is filled with misery, misfortune and a hard life. The second part of my story is filled with determination, encouragement and never giving up.

 

This is who I am. I am not defined by the way I look, and I no longer feel I want to hide away. I am proud of who I am and what I have achieved in life. 

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I’d like to share with you my story of how I opened a bakery. Before I found my independence, I felt like I was born unlucky. When I was young, I was in a baby walker and fell into a wood stove in the kitchen. There was no knowledge back in those days of how dangerous these baby walkers were. It left me with almost 90% burns to my body. After the accident, I was transported to Children's Hospital 1 in Saigon, where I stayed for two years for intensive care and treatment. 

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I felt lonely growing up, I didn't have many friends and felt ostracized by society. I dropped out of school due to intense bullying, even though it was my dream. I was lucky though to have one friend who was like me. They also did not go to school because they were bullied due to the way they looked. We spent time together helping out each other's parents or we ran around in the field catching crickets and flying kites.

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One day, we went to the city to see all the big things and we saw a beautiful cake shop. All the items looked so luxurious. We went back home and saved all our money for months, pooling our money together so we could buy one slice of cake to share. We were so excited when we had enough that we ran out excitedly to buy it.

When we entered the store, we were treated badly for the way we looked. We didn’t even get a chance to explain that we had money for the cake. We were chased away. I felt so embarrassed and overall, so sad. Why shouldn't I be treated the same?

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I made a promise to myself then that I would one day open up my own cake shop that accepted everybody no matter how they look or what background they come from. I would be proud to serve everyone who comes into my store.

Years later, when I tried to find work, I was again mocked and ridiculed. I did not leave my house for almost two years.

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Then, in 2016, I was sponsored by the charity Interplast to fly to Germany for surgery to separate the skin under my chin from the skin on my chest. The surgery was successful but I was in a coma for 21 days. I was so homesick but the nurses and doctors at the hospital were very nice to me. They played music from my hometown and even learned basic Vietnamese greetings. Members of the Vietnamese community in Germany also came to see and support me to celebrate my birthday in Germany. I celebrated my birthday with strangers but I was touched by their support. The work of the surgeons there changed my life. For the first time, I felt positive about myself and my future. I am forever very grateful.

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Over the years, I grew in my confidence and was able to receive an education. I studied hard to learn to read and write in English. I knew my dream was to open my bakery and support those who need help the most. ​
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Today, I have fulfilled my promise to myself. My bakery may not be as big as others, but I feel so happy because it is my effort and passion that got me here. My store is called "Tiệm bánh Hướng Dương" which translates to "Sunflower Bakery" and its located in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. 

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 I hope everyone who visits my store feels warm and welcomed. That is part of my story, but the beginning of it and the way I look does not define me. I continue to learn new skills and techniques in baking and I am a proud and talented baker. That is what defines me. 

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Thank you for reading and for letting me share my story. I hope you choose to visit my bakery in Ho Chi Minh City and say hello!