MISSION LA MAISON CHANCE: UniAction Visits Life-Changing Social Center in Ho Chi Minh City After 2016 Fundraising Effort

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam — July 7 to 10, 2017: In a meaningful continuation of its commitment to global solidarity, UniAction carried out MISSION LA MAISON CHANCE, a special visit to La Maison Chance in Ho Chi Minh City—an organization the group supported with $12,000 raised in August 30, 2016 through its Discovery Day at Museum Pointe-Callière in Montréal.

La Maison Chance, founded by Swiss-Vietnamese artist and humanitarian Tim Aline Rebeaud, offers a holistic support system for orphans, street children, and people with disabilities. Through housing, education, rehabilitation, and vocational training, it empowers some of Vietnam’s most vulnerable to lead independent and dignified lives.

During the mission, UniAction representatives, including Founder Thi Be Nguyen, toured the center’s facilities, visited classrooms and workshops, and met with children and adults who are beneficiaries of the program. The team was deeply moved by the resilience, creativity, and spirit of the residents.

"Our visit to La Maison Chance reminded us of the power of compassion in action," said Thi Be Nguyen, Founder of UniAction. "It was a privilege to meet the individuals whose lives are being transformed. Supporting this incredible place is not only about giving—it’s about believing in people’s potential. Tim Aline is a living example of how one person’s compassion can change thousands of lives. Her unwavering dedication to the most vulnerable reminds us all of the power of love, courage, and humanity in action."

The 2016 fundraising contribution helped cover daily essentials such as meals, educational materials, healthcare, and vocational training programs. From tailoring to painting, computer skills to carpentry, residents are gaining the tools to rebuild their lives with confidence and purpose.

MISSION LA MAISON CHANCE also reinforced UniAction’s broader mission of cultural diplomacy and community engagement, fostering connections that go beyond borders. The visit strengthened ties between Canada and Vietnam and reaffirmed UniAction’s commitment to supporting meaningful social change.

The visit to La Maison Chance also marked a profoundly emotional moment—the first reunion between UniAction’s founder and her long-lost aunt, Nguyen Thi Hoi, who had been separated from the family for over 50 years during the tumultuous years of the Vietnam and Laos wars.

As the organization continues to develop global initiatives, MISSION LA MAISON CHANCE stands as a reminder of what’s possible when communities come together with empathy, action, and hope.