Life can often seem unfair, presenting us with struggles that feel insurmountable and leaving us feeling hopeless. Yet, God has a way of revealing that all is not lost.

Ngo Quy Hai, a 27-year-old man from Vietnam, has spent much of his life shielded from the world. His journey is marked by resilience as a burn survivor who has long been aware of the judgmental stares from others.

The tragic incident that changed his life occurred when he was just a toddler. While pushing a baby walker to the kitchen, he fell into an open wood stove, suffering severe burns. “Baby walkers were common back then, and there wasn’t much awareness about their dangers,” Hai explained.

After the accident, he was rushed to Children’s Hospital 1 in Saigon, where he endured two long years of recovery filled with surgeries. Despite surviving, Hai was left with scars covering his body and face. Compounding his physical challenges, he faced emotional trauma from bullying by other children due to his appearance.

“I felt alone growing up and didn’t have many friends,” he recalled. “I felt ostracized from society. When I tried to find work, I was mocked and ridiculed. I didn’t leave my house for almost two years at one point.”

Living in isolation was a heavy burden for Hai. He struggled academically and felt a deep sense of despair until he met a friend who truly understood his feelings. “Sometimes I think it is fate that brought us together,” Hai reflected about his new friend. “We’ve played together since we were young and experienced many joys and sorrows, sharing the same sadness of being excluded.”

With encouragement from his friend, who also has disabilities, Hai found the courage to pursue his dream of opening a bakery. This aspiration arose from a painful experience when his friend was turned away from an upscale bakery because of their modest clothing. “We were very poor, so our clothes weren’t fancy, and they ignored our explanations,” Hai recalled. “They chased us away. It was humiliating. But it shaped who I am today and made me realize what I wanted: to open my own bakery where everyone, rich or poor, would be welcome. I would serve delicious and beautiful cakes without discrimination.”

When he shared his bakery dream with his family, they were supportive. Hai then enrolled in a hospitality training program in Hanoi, ready to face the world after years of seclusion.

Opening the bakery has been a transformative experience for Hai, boosting his confidence. “It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces,” he said. “I often invite children selling lottery tickets on the streets in for a piece of cake. We can’t know the hardships others face, so we must be kind.”

Now, Hai’s dream is to help others experiencing similar challenges. He believes that making a difference in society comes from giving back.

Hai’s inspiring journey serves as a powerful reminder to believe in our abilities and to love ourselves for who we are, no matter our circumstances.