Interview- My Dad and his upbringing
1. As a refugee, Anh Do faced many hardships. Was
there a time you faced hardship during your
upbringing, and if so, how did you overcome it?
There were many hardships during my childhood. My father
passed away when I was very young, and we were very poor,
especially when my mother sent herself to University to try and
educate herself. One time our house burned down.
2. In ‘The Happiest Refugee’, Anh Do relied on his family
for support. Who did you go to for support and advice
during your upbringing?
Much like in Anh Do’s life, family was everything. My older brother
was the backbone of the family and supported us a lot. I learned
the power of self-reliance and grit and self-belief.
3. What role did family and community play in your
upbringing?
My siblings formed the strongest bond and would do anything for
each other. I can relate to Anh Do’s life as my mother had
immigrated to Australia from England as a child so we did not
have strong community ties. I found the strongest connection
with various teachers from my school life.
4. Anh Do struggled to find his role in the community.
Finding the right community was key to his happiness
and success. Do you think that community had
significant importance throughout your upbringing?
Growing up without a father meant that as a boy I looked for
father figures and role models around me. I found great individual
qualities and aspects in many people, my older brother and
various teachers in my life became my role models.
5. Anh Do faced the betrayal of his father, who left his
family. Was there a moment where you felt betrayed?
How did you overcome this?
I have had friends where the friendship has ended poorly and step
father who left. I came to terms with it through time, distance,
context and eventually understanding and forgiveness.
6. In ‘The Happiest Refugee’, Anh finds that forgiveness
and understanding is key to mending broken
relationships. Was there an instance where you had
to forgive someone? How did you find courage to do
this?
I believe anger at the right person at the right moment at the
right amount is OK but not something we should hold on to. I
think it wears us down and burdens us. So forgiveness is a gift
you gift yourself. I try to understand other people’s story, their
flaws, their mistakes, so I don’t have to forget but I can
understand and forgive.
7. Are you grateful for how your upbringing played out?
It created me. I found a lot of joy. I had a lot of freedom to chart
my own course which taught me something you cannot learn in
an over protected modern world. But I wouldn’t recreate it.
8. Would you change anything about your upbringing,
and if so what would you change?
Many things but you cant change the past only learn from it.
Freedom is good but I choose to raise my children with more
safety, security and order.
9. What was your biggest display of courage?
Not sure. I have stood up for and protected my sisters and that
has taken courage. I was the lead actor in a high school play. I
don’t believe fear ever goes away but by increasing your purpose
helps grow your courage.
10. Anh Do’s life changed when he decided to switch
careers. Do you feel that you seized opportunities
presented throughout your upbringing? If so, what
was an opportunity you seized that had the most
impact on your life?
Most people from my upbringing faced with the same
circumstances would have let it beat them down. I choose to write
my own happy and successful story. In work, in friendships, in
relationships, in family, I have charted the life I always wanted
and dreamed of.