Help Mani buy a used auto rickshaw

Mani lives in the outskirts of Bangalore, India and drives an auto rickshaw to support his family (wife, daughter, son). When COVID-19 hit his area, his business was destroyed, as tourism ceased and commuters stayed home. He took whatever jobs he could find to feed his family and reached out to friends in the United States for assistance. Eventually he resorted to selling his "auto" to help pay the bills. Now that the virus in his area is subsiding and people are returning to work, he would like to get back on the road to support his family - but he needs a new auto. A used auto rickshaw in India is 140000 Indian Rupees, which is about $1,870. He has saved up 35000 INR and only needs an additional 105000, or about $1,400 to purchase a vehicle that will allow him to once again provide for his family.

 

I've had the good fortune of knowing Mani for a few years - he actually stopped me on the street on my way home from church to offer me a ride and ended up sourcing me some Indian nativity sets -- but that's a story for another day. I've been pleased to help him from time to time during the pandemic, but I thought it would be nice to give others the chance as well.

 

Often those of us who are temporally blessed look at difficult situations and shrug our shoulders, unsure of how to help, or unable to address need a world away. This is an opportunity to literally change a family's life, from the comfort of your couch while you enjoy your Doordash Cheesecake Factory and binge another episode of Squid Game. Please join me in assisting this good man and his family.

 

 

 

I have used the "ria" money transfer app in the past to send him money and will do so again this time. All money donated, less the transfer fee, will be sent to Mani. I'll happily provide screenshots and bank statements as evidence if needed.