Mum of Six Who Juggles Three Jobs Starts Free Breakfast Club for Kids

Breakfast Buddy initiative in Ang Mo Kio brightens day for underprivileged children

- Theresa Tan

With six children and three part-time jobs to juggle, Ms Lydia Susiyanti Sukarbi, the 36-year-old sole breadwinner of her household, may not have much.

But what she has—compassion, generosity and grit—she gives freely.

Three times a week before the crack of dawn, she dishes out free breakfast to underprivileged children who live in her Ang Mo Kio neighbourhood.

Ms Lydia, a former school canteen stall vendor, started her Breakfast Buddy initiative in February as she had seen first-hand how some students went without recess so that their younger siblings had money to buy food to eat.

"How can we, as neighbours, step up for these kids? I feel I should help to fill this gap," said Ms Lydia, who lives with her family in a two-room Housing Board rental flat.

"Breakfast Buddy is more than giving them breakfast. It's to let the children know there are resources for them, and I'm here to share my resources. If it's within my capability, I will give.

"I'm like an auntie, mother, teacher to them. And they share many things with me."

Ms Lydia juggles two jobs and also runs a home-based bridal business, while her husband stays home to look after their six children, aged between one and 15.

She earns about $3,000 a month on average.

Her modest means did not stop her from pursuing her "dream" of providing breakfast to children, although she was initially uncertain how long she could keep the initiative going.

She said: "I have just enough with three jobs and government subsidies. Though I'm concerned about money myself, I went ahead as I thought: Just do it."

Her children are on the Education Ministry's Financial Assistance Scheme, which helps lower-income families with basic schooling expenses.