[Post 1100] The Hawker Hero Behind 'Hawkers United': Preserving A Dying Trade | On The Red Dot

Summary

Melvin Chew, a hawker from Chinatown Complex, became an unexpected force during the darkest days of COVID-19. When footfall collapsed and elderly, non-tech-savvy hawkers were on the brink, he created "Hawkers United – Dabao 2020", a Facebook group that exploded into a lifeline for thousands. While juggling sleepless nights, multiple quarantines, and his own struggling stall, Melvin kept rallying the community — using the platform to spotlight hawkers who were falling through the cracks, and proving that one person’s initiative can save an entire ecosystem.