Vietnam 2005
In 2005, Dr. Tran traveled to his homeland to reconnect with his cultural roots and explore ways to help disabled individuals in Vietnam.
It began as a dream inspired by Albert Schweitzer and his humanitarian work in Gabon. As a 2000-2001 New York City Albert Schweitzer Fellow, I was introduced to the legacy of Albert Schweitzer and how his efforts helped build a hospital in Gabon. My Schweitzer Fellowship Project involved helping the disabled community in New York City to live their lives to the fullest. Working in conjunction with H.A.I. (Hospital Audiences Inc.) and experimenting with some of my own ideas, we were able to make a small contribution to the livelihood of individuals with disabilities. My involvement with the Schweitzer Fellowship served as a great learning experience as I realized that not all ideas and dreams manifest smoothly in reality. It actually takes perseverance and a solid foundation in order to build upon one's hope and desire. With that lesson learned, I began to set my sights on doing something that involves helping the disabled in developing countries.
Decades after we left Vietnam, my journey back to Vietnam not only allowed me to learn about medicine in Vietnam , but also to re-introduce me to my Vietnamese roots and the land of my ancestors. This trip also allowed me to brush up on my Vietnamese language and to learn about Vietnamese cultures and customs. But most importantly, this return to Vietnam helped me reconnect with my relatives, especially with my aging Grandmother who had "cherished me worth my weight in gold" when I was then her first and only grandchild over 25 years ago. Seeing her reminded me the importance of family and the strong bond that exists between a mother and child and that of a grandmother and grandchild. Although my Grandmother is a little weaker and not as sharp as in years past, I am ecstatic to know that she is proud of how her little "Cu Nhat" has turned out to be. I hope that my life efforts will be worthy of her love and admiration.
Agape Hospital (7 images) |
Bach Mai Architecture (34 images) |
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Bach Mai Rehab Center (28 images) |
Bach Mai Daily Routine (39 images) |
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Cho Ray Hospital (24 images) |
Quoc Lum (14 images) |
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Saigon Ortho Hospital (9 images) |
VIETCOT (15 images) |
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Viet Duc Hospital (17 images) |
VVAF Ortho Workshop (20 images) |
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