Tibetan Uber driver receives $7k from Uber’s philanthropic program

By Lobsang Tenchoe

DHARAMSALA, Nov 30: A Tibetan Uber driver in the US is among the first recipients of $7,000 gift from the company in its new philanthropic program.

Tashi Choephel, a Tibetan immigrant cabby of the American worldwide online transpiration network company has received the gift as the company launched a program to grant money to community projects involving its drivers, reports New York Post.

The Tibetan cabby along with a group of Tibetans from the Tibetan Community of New York and New Jersey were trying to open a community center in Queens, New York City.

The group had earlier bought a building in 2012 for the Tibetan community center in Woodside for $4.1 million but ran out of funds as it required another $4 million for renovation.

Choephel, found out about the company’s new project and applied for the funding.

“I am so grateful and proud,” the 35-year-old former Tibetan sheepherder and one of three drivers who won the grant for this first month was quoted as saying in the same report.

According to Choephel, New York City has at least 200 Tibetan Uber drivers.

Every month, Uber’s philanthropic drive allows its drivers to submit ideas for a cause they hold close to their heart. Uber plans to offer the City drivers up to $20,000 in funding each month.