With the help of his friend, who has disabilities, Hai managed to gather the courage to pursue his dream of owning a bakery. In fact, this dream was born as a result of an incident during which his friend was kicked out of a fancy bakery he wanted to visit for a long time.

“We were very poor so our clothes weren’t as fancy as some people’s and they didn’t listen to our explanation either. They chased us away,” Hai explained. “It was humiliating. But it’s an experience that has made me who I am today. It made me know in my heart what I wanted to do. I was going to open up my own bakery so I could bake delicious and beautiful cakes and serve good food to everyone, whether they be rich or poor. I would not discriminate; everyone would be welcome.”

When he shared his dream with his family, they were all very supportive. Hai then attended a hospitality training at a school in Hanoi and was ready to face the world after years of hiding.

He says that opening a bakery has been the best thing that has ever happened to him as it helped him with his confidence.

“It was lovely to see so many smiling faces,” he said. “I see a lot of children on the streets selling lottery tickets and I always invite them in for a piece of cake. We don’t know the hardships others have faced. Be kind.

“It’s my dream now to help others through similar hardships that I have been through. It is by giving back that one can make a difference in society.”

Hai’s story is so inspiring because it reminds us that we should always believe in our abilities no matter what and that we should try and love ourselves for who we are.

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