For Dr. Stephen Bui, solutions to certain life problems hinge on sustainability and his recent trip to Vietnam upheld those beliefs.
Bui, a podiatric specialist at Advanced Foot and Ankle Care in Waynesboro, went to Vietnam to celebrate the 80th birthday of his father, Charles, who lives there for part of the year as well as with Bui’s sister, Bethany Bui, in New Jersey.
“We enjoy doing philanthropy as a family, together – my dad and cousins from Vietnam and France all came back to celebrate as well as for our charity project that we do as a big family.”
Learning, serving and teaching
Their work involves “coming up with a plan for self-sustainability. Money helps but it doesn’t give those who need help solutions,” Bui said.
He and his wife, chiropractor Dr. May Cao, teach their children, Kiley, 13, and Sydney, 11, and Chase, 8, “to appreciate what we have when they see people who don’t have much and that, whenever possible, help them. That’s what makes this world a better place. We hope the children get that message, that they learn by what they see,” Bui said.
The extended Bui family appeared on TV in Vietnam to talk about its support of NGO Maison Chance founded by Tim Aline Rebeaud in 1993. Bui is vice president of the board of directors of Maison Chance, a social structure that helps street children, orphans, and disadvantaged and handicapped people in Vietnam.
The extended Bui family appeared on TV in Vietnam to talk about its support of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including Thinking For Life.
The other NGO that Bui serves is Maison Chance, founded by Tim Aline Rebeaud in 1993. Bui is vice president of the board of directors of Maison Chance, a social structure that helps street children, orphans, and disadvantaged and handicapped people in Vietnam.
The Swedish Rebeaud was a 21-year-old artist traveling in Asia, when, one day, she stumbled on a 12-year-old boy in an alley, according to Bui. “Nobody was taking care of him – he had mental and physical issues – and she helped him. She decided to give up her artist’s life and dedicate her life to children,” he added. “(For her contribution) she was given the name ‘Tim’ because it means mother’s heart in Vietnamese.”
Bui noted his family had the opportunity to meet the boy Rebeaud found in the alley. “He’s 40-plus now and from that process, she has saved so many children who now contribute to society … contribute to the world. They teach them a skill so they can support themselves. For instance, chefs come and teach them and they have opened restaurants.”
Next year Bui will host a supporting event to celebrate the 30-year anniversary of the orphanage.
Rotary celebration
Bui’s trip also involved a visit and speech to Rotary Club Saigon International. “It just started last year after a 46-years hiatus when the Vietnam War ended in 1975. Enough people petitioned that the government allowed Rotary to operate again … talk about progress. I am a Rotarian in Waynesboro and carried the Waynesboro flag to Vietnam. And I brought the Vietnam flag back here to present it to the Waynesboro president, Derek Furry.”
Bui said he “shared knowledge of how we operate. They are a brand new club and don’t have a lot of experience, but I was really impressed with how professional Rotary Saigon is. They allow membership from people around the world. I met people from Bosnia and Sweden in person and other countries virtually.
“I was very impressed with how proactive the club is with youth group. They are there to provide service side by side. An attorney leading that program in Vietnam is prepping the younger generation to be part of Rotary. They’re currently working on projects such as building a library in an area that needs it and hosted a book sale to support it,” added Bui.
Here at home, the Waynesboro Rotary Club is focused on improving Rotary Park 20 years after it was built. “We want to upgrade equipment to attract more visitors, to get young children to use it, like building an obstacle course. Our club supports the local community and international community as well,” Bui said.
