Desperately in need of a computer for her studies, Najwa reached out for help on Instagram. She soon received a free laptop – no questions asked and no conditions attached.

Najwa is one of the hundreds of underprivileged individuals who have received free laptops from Abu Hurairah Resources, a company here that supplies and repairs laptops. The owner of the company is Abu Hurairah Roslan, who himself has faced numerous tough challenges before getting to where he is today.

He trained in the culinary field and worked as a chef in London but, after a few years abroad, decided to return to Malaysia in 2010.

“I was hoping to work in the food industry upon my return, but opportunities were limited. I applied for jobs but most of them never responded. So, I decided to move to Kuala Lumpur from Rawang to look for work,” he told Bernama.

Fortunately, Abu Hurairah had some knowledge in laptop repair – a field that happened to interest him – having picked up the skills from YouTube tutorial videos.

“So, I offered my services. Some days I earned RM30, on others, RM100. The highest I ever made in a day was RM300,” he shared.

There were times he felt like giving up, but the responsibility of providing for his family kept him going. “Whenever I felt hopeless, I would go to the mosque early before prayertime… it was one of the ways I calmed myself and gathered strength.”

At a crossroads

For nine years, he struggled with uncertainty about his future. As 2019 drew to a close, Abu Hurairah found himself at a crossroads: whether to continue repairing laptops or venture into a new business. Then, he received an unexpected piece of good news.

“My former employer, a Pakistani national who owned a laptop shop at Imbi Plaza in KL, decided to return to his home country and wanted to hand over his business to me.

“He told me he wanted me to continue this business because he trusted me and saw how sincere and dedicated I was in my work,” he said.

A few months after taking over the business, the pandemic hit – and suddenly, the demand for laptops and repair services skyrocketed. “Many realised the necessity of having laptops for remote learning and work,” he noted.

The situation also opened Abu Hurairah’s eyes to the reality that many people could not afford a computer. He thus rebranded his business and made community assistance one of the core missions of his company.

Next, he set out to repair 100 disused and abandoned laptops stored in his shop, which were then donated to students and individuals who could not afford to buy their own computers.

For Abu Hurairah, giving away free laptops is not just about handing over a device – it is about changing the future of those in need.

“Each donated laptop comes with a warranty of up to three years. If it breaks down, the recipient can take it to any computer shop, and our company will cover the repair costs,” said the father of five.

He added that the process of applying for a free laptop from his shop is simple as he does not conduct overly strict background checks.

His noble efforts, however, have faced blowback from certain quarters who accuse him of seeking personal gain from the initiative. But he said such criticisms do not faze him.

“People don’t see what happens behind the scenes. Some days, I have to take money out of my own pocket, work overtime, and make other sacrifices just to ensure the laptops we donate are in perfect working condition.”

Abu Hurairah also admits he was initially worried his initiative might hurt the company’s finances. “But I believe when we help others, God helps us in return … my shop is still standing and even growing.”

‘Rich in blessings’

Today, he not only runs a stable business but also has a dedicated team. In addition to hiring Malaysians as workers, he provides IT students with opportunities to gain hands-on experience at his shop.

And since launching his initiative in 2020, Abu Hurairah has spent more than RM200,000 on laptop repairs, benefiting over 500 individuals all over the country.

He said he often receives messages from recipients expressing their gratitude. “Some of them even cried because they were able to own a laptop for the first time in their lives.”

One of the most touching stories was about a university student who was on the verge of dropping out because he could not afford a laptop. After receiving one for free, the student completed his studies and is now working as an engineer at a multinational company.

“When I hear stories like this, I know my efforts are not in vain. I may not be rich in money, but I am rich in the blessings that come from helping those in need,” Abu Hurairah concluded.

Follow Abu Hurairah Roslan on Facebook.