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Start-up fund for Ali: reopening a street-food cart after a break-in

Ali has run a street-food cart for nine years; a break-in destroyed the equipment, and $1,550 will put it back on its feet.

🇸🇦 Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia1,088 views
Ali Idris Tawfik
Email verified
Dammam
For nine years I have run a street-food cart in Dammam. In September, a break-in took a gas stove and two refrigerators. I have no insurance, and the bank won't lend to me. Before that, my customers came every Monday, and I employed 1 people from the neighborhood. I have been out of business for 12 weeks. This business pays my children's school fees and rent. I have already started working from home in small ways, but I can't meet orders without proper equipment. Every contribution brings me closer to reopening, and I promise to post photos as I buy each item. Once I'm back on my feet I plan to hire back the people I had to let go. Where the $1,550 goes: • Replacing a gas stove and two refrigerators: $890 • Initial stock: ingredients: $250 • Shop repairs and licensing: $210 • Working capital for the first month: $200 Thanks for reading all this. - Ali

Updates from Ali

  1. Thank you all. We're at 19% now ($296). I'm honestly stunned. the plan for initial stock: ingredients is now scheduled.

  2. Quick update: $219 raised so far (14%). the first invoice got paid this week. Receipts coming as soon as I have them.

  3. Quick update: $64 raised so far (4%). I made the first payment toward initial stock: ingredients. Receipts coming as soon as I have them.

  • Zeynep Eda Çetin 🇹🇷 · $500

    “Happy to help. Hope the December deadline works out. - Istanbul”

  • Ruth Beatrice Tembo 🇹🇿 · $79
  • Esperanza M. Estrada 🇦🇷 · $10

    “Happy to help. Small amount but sent with love. - Rosario”

  • Jéssica Renata Araújo 🇧🇷 · $50
  • Anonymous 🇯🇵 · $62

    “God bless. Hope the December deadline works out. - Osaka”

  • Anonymous 🇨🇴 · $5
  • Julián N. Mendoza 🇪🇸 · $10

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

  • Jiro Minato Ishii 🇯🇵 · $5
  • Karina N. Delgado 🇺🇸 · $100
  • Ananya E. Vaidyanathan 🇮🇳 · $50

    “Be well. My mother told me about this one. - Thane”

  • Tao Xiang Jiang 🇦🇺 · $4
  • Weerasak Sakda Kittisak 🇹🇭 · $50
  • Emon Jahid Karim 🇮🇳 · $10

    “From my family to yours. Hope the December deadline works out. - Kolkata”

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  • thinking of you. Shared this with my family. Take care

    • praying for you, Ali. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier.

      • Jun Jia DingQuestionPhoto verified

        How is Ali doing now?

        • Sending love. Small businesses are the heart of Dammam. Hope you're open again soon. After 16 years in retail I know how hard it's to ask for anything. Take care.

          • This could happen to any of us. This is the second need I've supported on here and the first that made me cry. Take care!

            • Ai XieQuestion

              can I help in a way that isn't money? I'm near Dammam.

              • Ali Idris TawfikOwnerAnswer

                Sharing the link is the biggest thing. And if you know anything about replacing a gas stove and two refrigerators, advice is welcome too. Good question.

            • sending good thoughts, Ali. Hope you get there. All the best

              • Good luck. Hope you make a strong comeback. We're a small family in Nagpur but we're thinking of you

                • Shared it with a few friends. Love from Salem

                  • Thinking of you and your family. I hope things turn around soon. Don't give up. Blessings.

                    • Take care. I'd happily buy from you once you're back up. After 23 years in teaching I know how hard it's to ask for anything. Blessings.

                      • reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. I hope December is when things finally get easier

                        • thinking of you, Ali. This could happen to any of us. Put this on a community board in Faisalabad this morning. Greetings from Faisalabad.

                          • Best of luck, Ali. Shared it with a few friends. Our whole street has been following this since the weekend. Take care.

                            • Praying for you. 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. All the best!

                              • best of luck. Shared it with a few friends. Thinking of Dammam.

                                • hang in there, Ali. It takes guts to ask. Well done. I told my book club about it and three of them are giving too. All the best.

                                  • Rooting for you. It takes guts to ask. Well done. Greetings from Kanpur

                                    • Small businesses are the heart of Dammam. Hope you're open again soon. I told my book club about it and three of them are giving too.

                                      • Thanks for sharing this. Looking forward to the next update. We had a similar scare last year, I know what it feels like. Love from Mangaluru.

                                        • Rooting for you. It takes guts to ask. Well done. I'm in logistics myself and wanted you to know we're cheering for you

                                          • Wishing you the best. Reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. Our whole street has been following this since the weekend.

                                            • Hang in there, Ali. Hope the shop reopens soon. Don't be hard on yourself for asking. Love from Yogyakarta.

                                              • Good luck, Ali. Shared it with a few friends. I went through something like this 12 years ago and strangers helped me out. Greetings from Latina.

                                                • Wishing you peace, Ali. Your post was clear and honest

                                                  • Praying for you, Ali. Hope you get there. My colleague had a similar thing happen so this one hit home. Greetings from Southampton.

                                                    • Hope it all works out, Ali. It takes guts to ask. Well done. Don't give up. Thinking of Dammam.

                                                      • Wishing you the best. Looking forward to the next update. Sent it to 23 people at work. Greetings from Likoni.

                                                        • Thinking of you. Everyone deserves a bit of help sometimes. Wish I lived closer to Malang so I could bring a meal. Greetings from Calamba.

                                                          • Wishing you peace, Ali. I'd happily buy from you once you're back up.

                                                            • I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. Thinking of Dammam

                                                              $935 raised of $1,550

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