THE PERANAKANNyonya Karen Wee Siew Lin, Khalida Begum, and Dan Ng of the Lions Befrienders Service Association
highlight the importance of connecting through culture and caregiving
“Apa gunanya panjang umor,
kalau tak ada yang sayang?”
What use is a long life, if it’s lived without love?
In the colourful quilt of Singapore’s communities, Peranakan culture is one of the most vibrant threads—rich with ornate kebayas, hearty nyonya dishes, and the musical charm of Baba Malay. But as our babas and nyonyas grow older in a rapidly modernising world, they face a double challenge: to age well and keep the culture alive.
From Chilli Padi to Caregiving
Traditionally, Peranakan families were tight-knit. Elders lived with their children or grandchildren, often stirring sambal in the kitchen while telling stories from their youth. But today, as families get smaller, busier, and more global, our beloved elders are often left alone. The comforting sounds of Baba Malay are fading, and so are the daily interactions that once passed on language, values, and recipes.
This isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about connection. Without language and tradition, caregiving becomes clinical. But with them, it becomes kasih sayang—love, legacy, and care wrapped into one.
The Silver Tsunami is Here
Singapore is becoming a super-aged nation. By 2030, 1 in 4 Singaporeans will be aged 65 or older. Our elders will outnumber our children. The government’s Age Well SG programme is working hard to ensure seniors can age in place—in their homes and communities, not institutions.
But the question for us, the Peranakan community, is: how do we make sure our elders don’t just grow old—but grow old with dignity, meaning, and identity?
A Modern Kampong for Our Elders
This is where Lions Befrienders comes in. Through a network of Active Ageing Centres (AACs), they are building a modern-day kampong spirit—bringing seniors together not just to stay active, but to stay culturally alive.
Imagine this:
- A storytelling corner where elders recount tales in Baba Malay, while young listeners capture them on digital recorders.
- A batik painting workshop where seniors recreate motifs from their nyonyaware.
- A Peranakan cooking class, where old and young make ayam buah keluak side by side.
This isn’t a dream. It’s already happening through programmes like Tapestries of Harmony—a collaboration between seniors and youth to create shared artworks, celebrate culture, and promote racial harmony. When we blend heritage and caregiving, something magical happens: our elders don’t just survive, they shine.
Behind Every Senior is a Silent Caregiver
Let’s not forget the ones supporting them behind the scenes. A study by SMU (Singapore Management University) found that almost 1 in 4 caregivers in Singapore support more than one elderly person, often aged 80 or above. These caregivers, often quietly juggling work, family, and emotional stress, need support too.
Lions Befrienders doesn’t stop at seniors—they support the caregivers as well, through:
- Community networks that prevent burnout.
- Workshops and respite sessions
- Care coordination
Care Meets Culture, Innovation Meets Heart
At the heart of Lions Befrienders’ model is a simple belief: care must be personal. Staff don’t just follow procedures—they build relationships. Volunteers aren’t just helpers—they become friends. And increasingly, technology is helping—AI, digital tools, and data-driven programmes are allowing eldercare to be smarter and more sensitive.
By partnering with researchers, social service agencies, and community groups, Lions Befrienders ensures that care stays both modern and meaningful.
Preserving Culture is a Form of Care
To care for our elders is to preserve what they carry inside: stories, customs, languages, and love. When we let those disappear, we lose more than heritage—we lose identity.
So, let’s not wait. Let’s step up. Whether it’s by volunteering an hour a week, inviting your elderly parent to an AAC event, or sponsoring a heritage-based class, every little gesture counts.
Because caring for our babas and nyonyas is not a duty—it is a celebration of who we are.
“We age not in years,
but in the stories we pass on.”
Join Lions Befrienders in this cultural mission.
- Visit lionsbefrienders.org.sg for details.
- Volunteer or sponsor a heritage programme
- Bring your parent or grandparent to the nearest AAC
As we honour our culture and values, let us continue to honour those who raised us. Caring for our seniors is not just a duty—it is a joy and a continuation of the rich heritage that is our pride.
Lions Befrienders Service Association, a homegrown charity, has been serving Singapore’s seniors since 1995. With over 10 Active Ageing Centres, Home Personal Care, Community Case Management, Counselling, Mental Health, we help 13,000 seniors age well at their residences (sendiri punia rumah) with dignity, connection, and purpose. This is done with only 150 staff and 1,000 volunteers, of whom 400 are seniors who stepped up. By 2030, we will have 27,000 seniors under our care.
Lions Befrienders: Fulfilling Dreams, Igniting Community
All images courtesy of Lions Befrienders Singapore.
