In HCMC, Maison Chance (Nha May Man) is widely known for its humanitarian work supporting people with disabilities, orphans, and disadvantaged individuals.

Few realize that this organization was founded by a Swiss woman named Aline Rebeaud following her trip to Vietnam over three decades ago. Featured on Episode 296 of the television program Go Cua Tham Nha (Knocking on Doors), Aline Rebeaud shared her journey to Vietnam and her lifelong path of charity work.

Born in 1972 in Switzerland, Aline demonstrated a natural talent and passion for painting from an early age. At age 16, she held her first oil painting exhibition.

Three years later, she hosted her second exhibition. Proceeds from selling her artwork enabled her to realize a long-cherished dream of exploring the world.

Departing from her homeland of Switzerland, the 19-year-old chose to travel overland so she could paint and explore along the way. After a year of traveling, she arrived in Vietnam.

She recalled: "I have a deep connection with Vietnam. Arriving here, I felt as if I had come home. It was also here that I had encounters that eventually led to the creation of Maison Chance as it is today."

One day in 1993, she stumbled upon a homeless boy on the street. Moved by his hardship, she sought ways to help. She placed him in an orphanage, but he ran away shortly after.

Later, while visiting social care facilities around the city, she encountered a critically ill teenager. Upon inquiring, staff informed her that the boy was unlikely to survive due to his severe condition.

Hearing this, she contacted the center's board of directors to request personal sponsorship for the boy. With permission granted, she brought him to a heart hospital for treatment and stayed by his side caring for him for three months.

"Then a miracle happened. The teenager's health improved significantly; he gradually recovered and was discharged. At that moment, I faced the question of where to take him.

“Ultimately, I rented a house to provide better care for him. Then I thought, why shouldn't I help more children in similar circumstances?

“So, I volunteered to take care of housing, meals, and medical care for orphans, homeless youth, street children, and individuals with disabilities. Those were the first steps of Maison Chance."

Foregoing personal marriage

During the initial years of establishing Maison Chance, she encountered numerous hardships. To formalize her charitable work, she strived to learn Vietnamese rapidly to write applications and complete administrative procedures for establishing the shelter herself.

She also applied for Vietnamese citizenship. Currently, she holds dual Swiss and Vietnamese citizenship and carries two names: Aline Rebeaud and Hoang Nu Ngoc Tim.

Following persistent efforts, Maison Chance was officially recognized by the state as a foreign non-governmental organization (NGO) operating in Vietnam in 1998.

Once shelter and meals were secured for the children, she noticed that many under her care were illiterate, leading her to open academic classes.

For individuals with disabilities who faced difficulties learning trades externally, she arranged suitable vocational training, including sewing, painting, and computer classes.

As the shelter grew overcrowded, she purchased land to expand into a larger-scale educational and training center. In 2005, she established the Chap Canh (Village Chance) center, where underprivileged children receive free tuition and meals.

She subsequently founded Lang May Man (Maison Chance Village). Fifteen years ago, she constructed an additional 3-hectare facility in the former Dak Nong Province. Beyond Vietnam, she has established multiple international branches of Maison Chance in Switzerland, France, Belgium, Canada, the US, and Australia.

Concluding the broadcast, she reflected: "My charitable journey faced many difficulties, but I never entertained the thought of giving up. I view those challenges as lessons that taught me patience.

“I did not marry or have biological children, so I consider Maison Chance my family. I have no birth children, but in return, I have many adopted ones. Here, I live happily surrounded by the love my children give me."

Ha Nguyen