Despite juggling three jobs, a mother of six offers free meals to kids in need.
In the heart of Ang Mo Kio, a mother’s quiet determination is changing lives—one breakfast at a time. Armed with compassion and resilience, Lydia Susiyanti Sukarbi balances motherhood, work, and service to her community.
Rising Before Dawn To Give
At just 36 years old, Lydia Susiyanti Sukarbi wears many hats: mother to six children, sole breadwinner, and community champion. Living in a two-room rental flat in Ang Mo Kio, she earns about $3,000 SGD monthly from three jobs—including a home-based bridal business and part-time roles at Skillseed and Allkin Singapore. Despite her modest means, she began the Breakfast Buddy initiative in February 2025 to provide free meals to underprivileged children in her neighborhood.
Filling Empty Stomachs, And Hearts
The breakfast club operates three days a week from 6:30 a.m. at Block 228A, Ang Mo Kio Street 23. About 15 children gather at the void deck for a spread of cereal, bread with spreads like Nutella, biscuits, and drinks such as hot Milo and juice. “It’s more than breakfast—it’s about letting them know someone cares,” Lydia said. With support from her partner, 52-year-old Halinah Yatim, the initiative has grown into a trusted morning refuge for local kids.
Funding Through Faith And Community
In its early days, Lydia spent up to $400 SGD of her own savings monthly on breakfast supplies. However, with the help of friends, family, and word-of-mouth supporters, donations soon followed. The Singapore Government Partnerships Office (SGPO) and People’s Association stepped in to offer storage space and support through a community grant facilitated by social enterprise Skillseed.
Listening To The Children
Instead of assuming, Lydia and Halinah ask the children what they enjoy most. Surprisingly, simple cereals like Froot Loops and Nutella bread ranked higher than cooked food. “They told us they get sausages at home every day—they want something different,” Lydia shared. By offering choices, the children feel a sense of dignity and delight in their meals.
A Model For Communal Action
With help from SGPO, Skillseed, and Allkin, Lydia is not only providing breakfast—she’s igniting a grassroots movement. The Breakfast Buddy program reflects Singapore’s spirit of gotong-royong—mutual community help—and holds powerful lessons for both Indonesians and Singaporeans. In times of rising living costs, Lydia’s effort proves that kindness, when shared, multiplies.
Lydia Sukarbi’s story is a living testament to the strength of community-led compassion. With just enough resources and an overflowing heart, she’s showing that real change often begins at the ground level—with a bowl of cereal, a listening ear, and a willingness to care. Her example challenges all of us in Singapore, Indonesia, and beyond to reimagine what we can do with what we have.
Sources: Straits Times (2025) , Asia One (2025)
Keywords: Lydia Susiyanti Sukarbi, Breakfast Club, Ang Mo Kio, Underprivileged Children, Singapore Community
