KOTA SAMARAHAN: What began as a small business venture, Unplugged Coffee has grown into a platform for community care.
On Sunday, it hosted the Asnaf Assistance Programme with the local community, bringing together business owners, residents, and aid recipients in a spirit of compassion.
The programme, aimed at assisting underprivileged families and individuals, was initiated following strong local support for the café, which had been in operation for about seven months.
Owner Mohamad Sarifudin Othman said that the overwhelming response from customers and residents inspired him to give back to the community through a structured aid initiative.
“Since opening, the support from the local community has been extraordinary.
“This programme is our way of showing appreciation to our customers while, at the same time, extending help to those who need it most,” he told Sarawak Tribune.
According to Sarifudin, the idea for the programme emerged organically, driven by gratitude and a desire to ensure that the café’s success could also benefit others.
“This is not just a one-off effort. God willing, we hope to organise this programme every year if our business continues to grow.
“It is part of our commitment to community engagement,” he added.
Beyond hosting events at the café, Sarifudin said there were plans to bring the initiative directly to villages in Samarahan and surrounding areas by visiting the homes of those in need.
“We want to go into villages and personally reach out to families who require assistance.
“That is something we are planning to do in the future,” he said.
For the current programme, Sarifudin estimated that about 80 recipients were initially identified.
However, additional beneficiaries turned up, bringing the total to an estimated 100 food baskets distributed during the event.
“Alhamdulillah, the supplies were sufficient and we even had extra.
“What truly touched me was that every recipient prayed for us, wishing us ease in our affairs and blessings in our livelihood,” he said.
He described those prayers as a powerful motivation to continue giving back.
“It became a reminder that within the sustenance we receive, there is also a portion meant for others,” he said.
Sarifudin also expressed his hope that Unplugged Coffee would serve not merely as a dining outlet, but as a community space where people felt connected and supported.
“I want this place to feel like a shared space, not just a business.
“A place where the café, the people and the community are closely linked,” he said.
Among the aid recipients was Nur Maya Alisha Lupa, 26, from Kampung Rembus, who described the programme as especially meaningful for converts to Islam.
A housewife and mother of two, Nur Maya said the food assistance she received helped ease her family’s daily needs.
“As a ‘mualaf’ (convert), I feel programmes like this are very beneficial.
“They show that the community truly cares about the welfare of converts,” she said.
Another recipient, Nur Batrisyha Ngui Abdullah, 41, also from Kampung Rembus, echoed similar sentiments, describing the programme as a valuable platform for strengthening ties among converts while easing financial burdens.
Nur Batrisyha, who lost her husband more than a year ago and is raising her nine-year-old child on her own, said initiatives like this had deep emotional significance.
“Beyond material assistance, programmes like this provide moral support and encouragement to those facing difficult circumstances,” she said.
She also encouraged other individuals and organisations to organise similar efforts within their communities.
“I hope more parties will take the initiative to carry out programmes like this, because they help uplift ‘asnaf’ and ‘mualaf’ families in a meaningful way,” she added.
The Asnaf Assistance Programme with the Kota Samarahan Community highlights a growing trend of small businesses in Sarawak stepping beyond commercial roles to play an active part in social responsibility, strengthening community bonds through simple yet impactful acts of generosity.
