Breakfast Buddy: A Grassroots Movement Begins in Ang Mo Kio
In the heart of Ang Mo Kio, Singapore, a quiet revolution is taking place before dawn three times a week. At 6:30 a.m., the void deck of Block 228A comes alive as children gather for a free breakfast, thanks to the unwavering dedication of Lydia Susiyanti Sukarbi. At just 36 years old, Lydia is a mother of six, the sole breadwinner of her family, and the founder of the Breakfast Buddy initiative—a program that is transforming lives, one meal at a time.
Lydia’s journey began in February 2025, inspired by her own experiences as a former school canteen vendor. She noticed that some students skipped their own recess so their younger siblings could afford food. Moved by this, she asked herself how neighbors could step up for these children. Her answer was simple but powerful: provide a nourishing breakfast and a sense of community support.
Who is Lydia Susiyanti Sukarbi?
Lydia’s life is a testament to resilience and generosity. Living in a two-room rental flat, she juggles three part-time jobs—including a home-based bridal business and roles at social enterprises Skillseed and Allkin Singapore—while her husband stays home to care for their six children, aged one to fifteen. Despite earning about $3,000 SGD a month and relying on government subsidies, Lydia’s commitment to helping others has never wavered.
Her children benefit from the Ministry of Education’s Financial Assistance Scheme, which supports lower-income families with school expenses. Yet, Lydia still found room in her budget to spend $300 to $400 of her own money each month in the early days of Breakfast Buddy, before donations began to flow in from friends, family, and the wider community.
How Does Breakfast Buddy Work?
Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, Lydia and her partner, Halinah Yatim, set up tables at the void deck to serve breakfast to about 15 children. The menu is simple but tailored to the children’s preferences: cereals like Froot Loops, bread with spreads such as Nutella and peanut butter, biscuits, and drinks like hot Milo, milk, and juice. The children are encouraged to choose what they want to eat, giving them a sense of dignity and agency.
Initially, Lydia and Halinah tried serving cooked foods like scrambled eggs and hot dog rolls, but the children preferred cereals and sweet spreads. As Lydia explained, “They told us they get sausages at home every day—they want something different.” This feedback-driven approach ensures the children look forward to breakfast and feel valued.
Halinah, 52, who faces her own mobility challenges, travels 20 minutes on a scooter from her rental flat to help with the initiative. She finds joy in seeing the children eat together and share their stories. As she puts it, “We ask them what they want (to eat) to make them feel they have the privilege of choosing. That they can choose also brightens their day.”
Community Support and the Spirit of Gotong-Royong
Breakfast Buddy is more than just a meal program—it is a reflection of Singapore’s spirit of gotong-royong, a Malay term meaning communal help and mutual support. The initiative has drawn the attention and backing of organizations like the Singapore Government Partnerships Office (SGPO) and the People’s Association (PA), which have provided storage space and are helping Lydia apply for community grants through Skillseed.
Skillseed, where Lydia works as a mentor guide, has played a crucial role in amplifying her efforts. Lydia leads learning journeys in her neighborhood, sharing her life experiences and the strengths of the rental flat community. Phua Huijia, Skillseed’s founding director, notes that Lydia is paid per trail as a community guide and also mentors new guides, further extending her impact.
The SGPO, which aims to strengthen government partnerships with citizens, has praised Lydia’s initiative as a “heartwarming citizen-led, ground-up effort that brings the neighbourhood together.” A spokeswoman for the office remarked:
“Everyone in the community can be a change maker. We are completely inspired by Lydia’s spirit of wanting to help others.”
Why Breakfast Matters: The Broader Impact
For many of the children who attend Breakfast Buddy, the program is about more than just food. It provides a safe space, a sense of belonging, and the knowledge that someone cares. Aina Adrianna Mohammad Fareez, 11, and her younger brother are regulars. Their mother, a single parent working in childcare, often leaves early for work, making breakfast at home a challenge. Aina shared:
“It fills my stomach. We don’t eat much at home, as my mum needs to rush to work in the morning. And it has some of my favourite things such as Froot Loops, Nutella and Milo.”
Research consistently shows that children who eat breakfast are better able to concentrate in school, have improved memory, and are less likely to experience behavioral issues. For underprivileged families, access to a reliable morning meal can make a significant difference in a child’s academic and emotional well-being.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Running Breakfast Buddy is not without its hurdles. Lydia initially struggled with storage space for food supplies in her small flat, a problem now alleviated by community partnerships. Funding remains a concern, but the growing network of donors and supporters has eased the financial burden. Lydia’s story has inspired others to consider how they, too, can contribute to their communities, regardless of their own circumstances.
Lydia’s giving nature was shaped early in life. As the eldest of five children, she often invited friends home for meals, inspired by her mother, a retired hawker known for her generosity. Lydia rejects the label of “poor,” emphasizing instead that everyone is “under-resourced” in different ways—be it time, money, or love.
In Summary
- Lydia Susiyanti Sukarbi, a mother of six in Ang Mo Kio, started the Breakfast Buddy initiative to provide free breakfast to underprivileged children.
- The program operates three times a week, serving about 15 children with cereals, bread, and drinks, based on their preferences.
- Breakfast Buddy is supported by community donations and organizations like SGPO, PA, and Skillseed, reflecting Singapore’s spirit of communal help.
- The initiative offers more than food—it provides emotional support, dignity, and a sense of belonging for local children.
- Lydia’s story demonstrates how grassroots compassion can drive meaningful change, inspiring others to help with whatever resources they have.
