LIONS BEFRIENDERS SERVICE ASSOCIATION (SINGAPORE)
HEAD OFFICE
Our 10 AACs and 6 Offices Located Across the Island
LIONS BEFRIENDERS SERVICE ASSOCIATION (SINGAPORE)
HEAD OFFICE
Our 10 AACs and 6 Offices Located Across the Island
LIONS BEFRIENDERS SERVICE ASSOCIATION (SINGAPORE)
HEAD OFFICE
Our 10 AACs and 6 Offices Located Across the Island
At 77 years old, Mdm Ong Say Eng, affectionately known as Auntie Helen, is lighting up lives one meal at a time. A beloved face at Lions Befrienders Active Ageing Centre @ Tampines 494E, she brings not just food, but warmth, wisdom, and unwavering generosity. From teaching mooncake-making to hosting impromptu feast at her home, she shows us what it means to live meaningfully — and give wholeheartedly.
Auntie Helen radiates a joy that fills every corner of the room at the Lions Befrienders Active Ageing Centre at Tampines 494E. It’s hard to believe she only joined the community last year. Today, she’s one of its most vibrant and active members. Every Friday afternoon during Lions Befrienders beloved “Kopi Talk” sessions, she arrives with more than just a smile. She brings generous containers of lovingly prepared food — curry chicken, banana muffins, fried beehoon — always enough to share with everyone.
“我煮多一点，大家一起吃，多热闹!” “I cook a little more so everyone can eat. The more, the merrier!”
Cooking isn’t just a profession for her — it’s her love language. With over two decades of experience as a cooking trainer, she has turned her kitchen into a place of healing and generosity. Her popular YouTube channel, which her son set up with her, Cooking with Auntie Helen, is filled with heartwarming recipes and personal stories that reflect her deep love for food and people. While many people chase clicks and subscribers, she hopes only to reach someone in need of comfort and a familiar taste.
“我喜欢教人，分享我的食谱和经验。人开心，我就开心。” “I love teaching others and sharing my recipes and experiences. When people are happy, I’m happy.”
At Lions Befrienders, she is more than a participant — she’s a giver, a teacher, and a friend. One afternoon during Lunar New Year, in a spontaneous burst of warmth, she invited about 20 fellow members to her home. She lovingly prepared Lo Hei (tossing prosperity salad) for everyone, turning an ordinary day into a memorable gathering filled with laughter, stories, and delicious food. That day, her house was overflowing not just with people, but with joy. It’s the kind of open-heartedness that defines her.
Her journey to joy wasn’t always smooth. At one point, she was a caregiver to two loved ones at the same time, a struggle that left her feeling overwhelmed and lost. “I couldn’t bear to be in crowded places,” she recalls, “and I would wake up in the middle of the night from stress.” With the support of her family and the guidance of a compassionate doctor, she found solace in simple acts like taking long bus rides from terminal to terminal to clear her mind. Gradually, she began to embrace life again, and cooking became her therapy.
In healing herself, she also discovered a gift, the ability to see and uplift others. “If someone is quiet, I’ll sit with them and talk,” she says. “Everyone needs companionship.” Her own experiences with loneliness and loss have shaped her into a beacon of empathy for fellow seniors. She understands the ache of missing loved ones as the passing of her mother left a deep void, and her husband’s ongoing health issues weigh on her heart. Yet, she chooses to focus on the present, filling her days with purpose and joy. “你要先疼人家, 人家才会疼你” “You must first care for others, then they will care for you.”
Her acts of kindness have inspired others to give too. Her son, a talented emcee and singer, joined her at Lions Befrienders events. Their close bond and playful interactions bring even more joy to the gatherings, turning simple afternoons into something special. Her actions have not only brought cheer and comfort to those around her, but have also inspired others to participate. Today, the “Kopi Talk” sessions have doubled in attendance. More members are now eager to join in and be part of the community. What began as one woman’s way of healing has blossomed into a culture of mutual care, reminding us that community is something we build together.
At Lions Befrienders, Auntie Helen’s generosity has found a home. In return, she has found friendship, belonging, and a space where she continues to inspire others. Her happiness rises gently — like steam from a hot bowl of curry served to someone who didn’t expect it. Warm, simple, and full of care. Joy is found in the clatter of utensils
at a shared table, the laughter of friends echoing over food, and the quiet “thank you” from someone shy. These are the currencies she values. And in that, she is rich beyond measure.