May 2026: Starlight Super Steps

Over the past month, HTr. Viên Đức – Nguyễn Mai-Thy took on the Starlight Super Steps Challenge, completing 10,000 steps a day to raise money for Starlight Childrens’ Foundation. She never missed a day, often walking late at night and through windy and rainy conditions to get her steps in and raised an astounding $963.00 for charity. In total, she recoded 348,960 steps, equivalent to roughly 250km – what a remarkable and inspirational effort! Hear more from HTr. Viên Đức about her experience:

Q. Why did you decide to participate in the Starlight Super steps challenge?

I decided to participate in the Starlight Super Steps Challenge because I wanted to support sick children and their families, while also creating space to explore my own physical boundaries. Earlier in 2025, I suffered back and hip injuries at work, which left me holding a strong belief that a walking challenge was far beyond my reach.

Taking on Super Steps quickly became about much more than reaching a specific fundraising target or hitting exactly 10,000 steps a day. It became a practice of letting go of all attachments to how things “should” look and simply embracing the process. It showed me that progress does not need to look perfect to be meaningful. By showing up consistently for something bigger than myself, I learned to go beyond my own limited beliefs —by taking one quiet step at a time.

Q. Tell us about your experience, completing the challenge and raising funds.

The journey was both deeply moving and grounding. Every step became an exercise in simply showing up and being present with my mind and my body, especially on the days when my back and hip injuries flared up.

The first two weeks were a true testing. I was navigating a stressful period at work involving HR and union meetings and the pressure of potential job loss, right when my mum suffered a serious fall and was hospitalised with a brain injury and pelvic fracture.

Most nights, after busy day with work and all physio/doctor appointments, I spent my hours visiting her, which meant I could not begin my daily walks until around 9:30 pm or 10:00 pm. By that time, I was physically fatigued, emotionally drained, and moving through pain.

The daily practice of meditation is my life saving tools, the only tool that I use to keep me grounded. This is how I navigate and filtered all the ‘noise’ and learnt these lessons that life trying to teach me – letting go of all attachments, the true nature of impermanence, reminding me only focus on what I can control – the present moment.

This experience taught me to trust my inner resilience and accept where I was at each evening, without judgment. Knowing I was surrounded by a a group of people who believed in me provided a quiet strength during those late nights. Each steps reminded me that we can navigate difficult periods simply by staying present with our purpose.

I am deeply gratitude for the generosity of my family, friends, and supporters who not only donate the money to the cause but also walk with me whenever they could, share with me their walk and even offer me their steps too. Their love and supportive kept me grounded and expanding my heart. I am so grateful for every single one of them and you do know who you are. Deeply thank you for being in my life.

Q. What were some highlights or memorable moments?

One of the most beautiful and unexpected moments happened on one of the weekend walk when my little sister from the Buddhist Youth Group – Chanh Dao asked to join me for my walk. I expected a quiet, simple catch-up with just the two of us.

To my complete surprise, she had quietly organized a whole bunch of people from the Buddhist group to come along with her to support me. Seeing everyone show up together to walk by my side was incredibly heartwarming and so much love and support from everyone. The walk became one of the highlights and most memorable of the challenge. The day ended with our dinner and desserts and an extra special moment when the little Evie holding my hands to go for her favourite drink. My energy was fully recharged by the love and support I received.

Q. What impact do you hope to have from the funds raised?

Hospital environments can feel overwhelming just like the uncertainty that I navigate during this challenge, so I hope these funds bring a sense of comfort, joy, and support needed to sick kids and their families during their most uncertain and difficult times. Through the Starlight Children’s Foundation, these donations help replace fear and pain with laughter and positive distraction.

I hope this journey creates a positive ripple effect on others who are in need. You truly never know whose life you might touch. By supporting this cause, my family, friends, and donors have shown that even when our individual worlds feel heavy, we can come together to create a meaningful wave of positive ripple beyond what we can see, into the lives of those who need it most.

Q. Any final words?

I want to extend my deepest, most heartfelt gratitude to my family, friends, and every single supporter who donated and cheered me on. Your generosity completely overwhelmed me and kept me grounded through the darkest nights.

A special, warm thank you goes out to my second family – Buddhist Youth Group. When one of my little sister asked to join for my walk, only to surprise me by organizing a whole group to walk by my side, and later that week she walked with me again during the week despite being busy with her two little one, it deeply touched my heart. You all showed me that we are never truly walking alone, and your loves and support has created a beautiful, positive ripple effect that will touch lives far beyond what we can see. Thank you for being my sanctuary and my strength.