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THE 130 MOST INSPIRING ASIAN AMERICANS
OF ALL TIME

Chi Huang

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     “People wondered why I would attend Harvard and then ‘give it all up.’” he recalls. “My choice befuddled and exasperated some. And there were those that wondered why would I help someone else outside of my arena and of a different race.”

     Even today, Huang's choices are questioned.

     “My wife and the people on my board ask me if am I doing what I do for myself or for the lives of the kids,” says Huang. “I think it's important to ask these questions. Yes, I want to build more homes, but is it for my pride or the children?”

     Huang has the courage to face such questions and the courage to continue his work in the face of setbacks.

     “We have 99 failures for every success,” he says. “In American culture, we look at success very differently. I look at success at being present for these children.”

     As one might expect of a Harvard Med School graduate, Huang considers the efficacy of his interventions.

     “I want to conduct medical research to locate the best practice models. We have different recidivism rates. We have all boys in the home and most have been sexually abused, but why do some remain and others leave? We must address that issue. Fundraising consumes too much of my time. I'd like to spend more time evaluating the program and delivering treatment. I want to be part of a community of serious thinkers and researchers: to better serve children. Why are families dysfunctional? Why do street children behave differently in different cities?”

     Huang's work requires physical as well as moral courage.

     “I was terrified the first time I went down the ladder,” he recalls. “That was '97-98. I didn't know if the kids would beat me.”

     Once some drunks threatened to beat Huang. The street children rallied to protect him. That loyalty extends in both directions. “Chi cares very deeply about people,” James says, “and many Bolivians know that.Ê They trust him and respect his views.”

     Huang places his trust in the power of time.

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     “It just takes time to effect change,” he says. “The children will fail ten to twenty times, but we must be patient. When they fail, it's not about you. It's where they are in the their walk in life.”

     Still, no amount of patience can forestall all losses.

     “The first baby I treated died of pneumonia and diarrhea in the hospital,” recalls Huang. “The mother was an alcoholic. The mother couldn't or wouldn't buy the antibiotics that the baby needed. I was angry at the way it was, the mother and myself. The entire system failed.”

     But then there are poignant successes.

     “The first child we brought off the street in 2001,” says Huang, “was sexually abused. He is 14 now. He had been in four different homes. When we found him, he was living with a street mother, an older street girl that was acting as a parent. His clothes were five sizes too big. He was filthy with unclipped, dirty nails and uncut hair. He was removed and reserved, even from other street kids. He told us different stories about what had happened to him. He lied a lot. We give him his space and time. He's still with us. He wants to become a human rights lawyer for street kids. Today, he earns top grades.”

     When Huang goes into the sewer, he isn't known as Dr. Huang. The children call him Don.

     “Don means sir,” Huang says. “It is a sign of respect.”

     Don Chi is the embodiment of human respect. He teaches us that passion is the biggest part of compassion.

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Chi Huang devotes his energies to rescuing the most destitute street kids of La Paz, Bolivia. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNIFER OLSINKSKI

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