Lim Hwee Yi’s early career was anything but ordinary. After graduating from Temasek Polytechnic in 2018, she joined the Singapore Police Force in 2019 and was hand‑picked for the elite Police Security Command, serving as a personal bodyguard to Presidents Halimah Yacob and Tharman Shanmugaratnam. In 2022, she even accompanied Madam Halimah to the UK to attend the late Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
Yet in May 2024, after five years of protecting national leaders, she made a bold decision: to leave the force and return to her family’s roots by taking over Botak Cantonese Porridge, her parents’ humble hawker stall in Tampines and Punggol.
A Ladle in Place of a Gun
Trading in her uniform for an apron, Lim embraced the daily grind of hawker life with humility and dedication. She learned the craft from her father—once a hotel chef—who’s been perfecting Cantonese-style congee for years with simple, affordable ingredients. Today, Lim oversees two outlets and plans to expand further while maintaining the same warmth and authenticity her parents built.
Kindness Served One Bowl at a Time
Inspired by a note from an elderly patron—“your free porridge warmed both my heart and my stomach”—Lim partnered with Give.Asia. Starting June 2025, her stalls now offer 500 free bowls of porridge monthly to holders of CHAS Blue or Orange cards, no questions. The redemption process is simple: flash the card, dine in, and enjoy a nourishing meal without shame or stigma.
The initiative quietly reaches out to elderly residents living alone, job seekers, and struggling families, making a real SG60 impact through consistent, compassionate service.
Skills from Service, Spirit from Family
Lim’s background in security has shaped her discipline and composure. She credits her ability to adapt under pressure—whether handling a crowd of diners or busy morning prep—to her years in uniform. Meanwhile, her cult-following, friendly personality built bridges between her two worlds. With plans to open a third outlet and mentor young hawkers, Lim is also on a mission to sustain the hawker tradition with pride and purpose.
SG60 Reflection: Quiet Strength, Bold Kindness
As part of Singapore’s 60th-anniversary celebration, Lim Hwee Yi represents a new kind of hero, one whose service reaches beyond uniforms and prestige into everyday acts of compassion. Her journey embodies SG60’s mission: to ignite 1 million acts of kindness across communities.
From the Parade Grounds to the Heartland, Lim’s story reminds us that true nation-building happens when generosity meets grit, and a single bowl of porridge can warm many hearts.
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