At 36 years old, Lydia Susiyanti Sukarbi carries the weight of her household alone - supporting six children and balancing three part-time jobs. Yet this remarkable mother still finds time and resources to feed underprivileged neighborhood children before their school day begins.
Three mornings each week while most families are still asleep, Ms Lydia transforms her Ang Mo Kio void deck into a breakfast haven for local children who might otherwise go hungry. Her Breakfast Buddy initiative, started in February 2024, stems from painful observations during her time as a school canteen vendor.
"I saw students skipping recess so their younger siblings could eat," shares Ms Lydia from her two-room rental flat. "As neighbors, we must step up. Breakfast Buddy isn't just about food - it's showing these kids that help exists when they need it."
The Breakfast That Builds Community
By 6:30am at Block 228A Ang Mo Kio Street 23, about 15 sleepy-eyed children gather around tables laden with cereals like Froot Loops, bread with Nutella or peanut butter spread, biscuits and steaming cups of Milo or milk - all chosen by the kids themselves through trial-and-error.
"Initially we cooked hot meals like scrambled eggs," laughs Ms Lydia's partner Halinah Yatim, a 52-year-old divorcee who helps despite mobility challenges. "But one boy told me he eats sausages every day at home! Now we let them choose - that simple privilege makes their whole day brighter."
A Ripple Effect of Kindness
The project began with $300-$400 monthly from Ms Lydia's $3,000 income (including government subsidies), but soon attracted community support through word-of-mouth donations in cash and kind. Now multiple organizations including Singapore Government Partnerships Office (SGPO) and People's Association help secure storage space while social enterprise Skillseed assists with funding applications.
"Lydia embodies gotong royong - communal spirit," says an SGPO spokesperson moved by this citizen-led effort where even recipients like Aina Adrianna Mohammad Fareez pay it forward; the bubbly fifth-grader often arrives early to help set up before enjoying favorite treats she rarely gets at home.
/The Generous Spirit Behind The Meals/h2> /
/While managing two jobs plus home-based bridal business,/ M/s L/ydia credits he/r retired hawker mother f/or instilling compassion early./ As eldest o/f five,/ she'd regularly bring hungry playmates home:/ "/My mothe/r never refused another mouth t/o feed./ We weren't rich b/ut always had enough t/o share./" /
/Today,/ sh/e extends tha/t philosophy through Skillseed,/ mentoring new community guides whil/e sharing rental flat residents' resilience stories during neighborhood learning journeys./ Allkin Singapore also benefits fro/m h/her event-planning talents between morning meal services. /
/For M/s L/ydia an/d h/her husband (/who cares fo/r th/eir childre/n aged one t/o fifteen full-time), financial assistance schemes hel/p bridge gaps./ But i/t's he/r unwavering belief i/n collective care tha/t sustains Breakfas/t Buddy:/ "/We're al/l under-resourced i/n different ways – wit/h time,/ money o/r love./ When w/e combine what w/e have? Tha't's ho/w communitie/s thrive."/div>
