When Madam Joyce Lye, a former banker, witnessed how stress and hardship afflicted her peers and community, she made a bold shift—leaving her corporate role to build a charity rooted in compassion and sustainability. Drawing from Buddhist principles and her kampung upbringing, she founded Kampung Senang in 1999, creating a village-style sanctuary in the heart of the city.
More Than a Centre – A Movement of Healing and Harmony
Kampung Senang began as a day-care centre and organic food programme. Over time, it blossomed into a multidisciplinary community organisation offering:
-
Elder wellness and mobility support
-
Cancer support through nutrition, therapy, and companionship
-
Food aid via plant-based “Gift of Good Food” packages
-
Eco-harmony education on rooftop farming and zero-waste living
-
Child enrichment and inclusive early education
Each initiative is guided by the belief that human and environmental health are inseparable.
The Power of Plant-Based Living
Kampung Senang’s Eco-Harmony Café is a living classroom for healthy, sustainable eating. Here, nutrition meets mindfulness—with meals prepared from locally sourced, organic ingredients.
Their wellness programmes include workshops on plant-based diets for disease prevention, empowering families and seniors to make informed, nourishing choices.
Environmental Advocacy That Starts at Home
Beyond service delivery, Kampung Senang advocates for urban sustainability. From composting stations to rainwater harvesting, every activity at its centres models how daily actions contribute to a greener planet. In recent years, it has been a key participant in Earth Day Singapore events, promoting circular economy values and zero-waste practices.
Expanding Through Strategic Partnerships
With backing from the Singapore Government Partnerships Office (SGPO), Kampung Senang has scaled its outreach via collaborations with:
-
SMRT: Making health and wellness accessible at public transit nodes.
-
National Silver Academy: Providing seniors with lifelong learning in wellness and eco-care.
-
Community Development Councils: Coordinating care for at-risk families and caregivers.
These partnerships amplify their community-first model—turning grassroots compassion into national impact.
Singapore’s Kampung Spirit, Modernised
At its core, Kampung Senang reflects Singapore’s kampung spirit: neighbourly, collaborative, and resilient. As Singapore celebrates SG60, this centre reminds us that nation-building is not only about infrastructure or innovation—it’s about how we care for one another.
A Living Legacy
Madam Joyce Lye’s leadership over two decades has inspired hundreds of volunteers, staff, and beneficiaries to live more consciously and care more deeply. Her story is one of quiet leadership—not chasing recognition, but creating real change.
SG60 and the Future Ahead
In the next 60 years, organisations like Kampung Senang will lead the way in building a softer, smarter, and more sustainable Singapore. Whether it’s through nutrition, eldercare, or eco-education, their mission remains clear: to heal, to teach, and to grow—together.
