S’pore hawker, 47, treats elderly man to free Kway Chap weekly & some kopi money, has been coming to stall for years - Mothership

“Will be most happy if can encouraged more friends to help the needy.”

A 47-year-old hawker briefly touched on how he had been helping an elderly man who had been coming to his stall for years.

In a Facebook post on Oct. 16, second-generation hawker Melvin Chew, who is the owner of Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck and Kway Chap at Chinatown Complex and the founder of the Facebook group Hawkers United, said the elderly man comes weekly for “free kway chap, after eating give him $5”.

“Recently he want eat pig blood. Just give la lol. 🫶” The post caption read.

The post has garnered positive reactions, with netizens praising Chew for his actions.

“Thank you for your graciousness towards this elderly man 👍🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼”, one comment read.

“Your kindness will be rewarded”, another read.

In response to Mothership’s queries, Chew said he had known the elderly man when he sold newspapers at Tiong Bahru Hawker Centre.

“After some time, we give him some kopi money for him to buy drinks. Been visiting my stall for over 10 years.” Chew said.

Chew added that they would give him additional money to buy food.

“There's a time when he walk pass my stall. He wanna eat kway chap, and he only want braised egg, salted veg and tau pok. So I treat him eat. Then he come once or twice a week.” He recalled.

Chew continued to treat the elderly man as he “doesn't ask for much”.

When asked how he felt about being praised for his actions, Chew said he felt blessed as social media can be “toxic”.

“Happy to see many positive comments and sending positive vibes to people.” He said.

He added that he would be happy if his actions encouraged more people to help the needy.