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My school-run minibus: Cristian's only way to earn a living

Cristian drives for a living in Oakland, and a broken radiator and cooling system has stopped all income for 4 weeks.

🇺🇸 United States1,257 views
Cristian T. Vargas
Email verifiedNational ID verified
Oakland
I make my living with my school-run minibus. 4 weeks ago the radiator and cooling system failed, and the mechanic says the repair will cost $1,000. Without the vehicle I earn nothing. I have been borrowing from friends to pay rent, and now I have run out of people to ask. I support my younger brothers and sisters. Before the breakdown I worked twelve hours a day, six days a week. I have been offered extra shifts for the next three months if I can just get the vehicle working. I have a written estimate from a certified mechanic and will upload it here. I'll pay the mechanic directly and show you the repaired vehicle in an update. Where the $1,000 goes: • Labor charges: $200 • radiator and cooling system replacement (parts): $550 • Road tax and insurance renewal: $250 Thanks for reading all this.
#livelihood#repair#driver#employment

Updates from Cristian

  1. Good news. Because of your gifts ($95 in total) I met with the mechanic and confirmed the amounts. Still a way to go but it feels less lonely.

  2. Quick update: $275 raised so far (28%). I met with the mechanic and confirmed the amounts. Receipts coming as soon as I have them.

  3. Update from Oakland: I made the first payment toward road tax and insurance renewal. We're at 43% of the goal. Thank you for believing in us.

Donations

RecentTop gifts
  • Scarlett S. Jacobs 🇬🇧 · $25
  • Leonardo R. Peña 🇺🇸 · $5
  • Brooks Garcia 🇺🇸 · $20

    “Thinking of you. Thought of Cristian all day after reading this. - Peoria”

  • Jung-hee Na-young Ryu 🇰🇷 · $20
  • Maria Marquez 🇵🇭 · $25
  • Travis J. Navarro 🇺🇸 · $50
  • Paul Kiprop Lyimo 🇹🇿 · $50

    “Wishing you the best. From Dodoma with love.”

  • Roberto R. Romero 🇨🇴 · $25
  • Ido Lior Navon 🇮🇱 · $55
  • Komal R. Jain 🇮🇳 · $25

    “Thinking of you. Gave what I could this week. - Agra”

  • Việt Long Phan 🇻🇳 · $25
  • Kehinde Ife Nwachukwu 🇳🇬 · $100
  • Tara S. Keane 🇮🇪 · $8.50

    “Hope it all works out. Please keep us posted. - Dublin”

  • Daniela T. Benítez 🇲🇽 · $10
  • Yuni Siti Prasetyo 🇮🇩 · $25
  • Hạnh Lệ Mai 🇻🇳 · $10
  • Remedios A. Mercado 🇵🇭 · $10
  • Audrey D. Thornton 🇬🇧 · $20
  • Meena C. Mittal 🇮🇳 · $20

    “Praying for you. Thought of Cristian all day after reading this.”

Reviews

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Questions & comments

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  • Liên Giang Le

    This could happen to any of us. Sent it to 19 people at work. Take care.

    • Zola P. Govender

      Hang in there. Hope this works out for you. My brother had a similar thing happen so this one hit home. God bless

      • Murilo Jorge Rodrigues

        stay strong. Reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. My daughter saw me on my phone and now she wants to give her pocket money.

        • Eduardo Raimundo Gomes

          rooting for you, Cristian. Looking forward to the next update. Take care

          • Christina Bauer

            Hope things get better soon, Cristian. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. Blessings.

            $528.50 raised of $1,000

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