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Boda boda rider John Ga Cucu has improved the lives of numerous street children via his food distribution initiative.
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He has brought numerous people back together with their families, enrolled others in schools, and helped find jobs for many more.
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The philanthropist spoke to ChinPao.biz.id.co.ke about his path from hardship to public service, along with his forward-looking initiatives.
John Ga Cucu, hailing from Kiambu County, is a recognizable figure—particularly amongst the street communities that convene at Globe Roundabout every Monday and Friday around midday.
The boda boda cyclist has turned into a symbol of hope for the downtrodden and abandoned children on the streets via his gestures of goodwill.
Who is John Ga Cucu?
The 33-year-old philanthropist has helped countless hopeless street kids over the years.
John’s drive to assist those who cannot help themselves originates from a profoundly personal and distressing encounter.
“I don’t have parents; instead, I was brought up by my grandparents, who have since passed away. As the eldest sibling, I have a younger brother. My experiences with scarcity and various hardships motivated me to start this project. Even now, I remain steadfast in wanting to assist them. Witnessing their suffering, despair, poverty, and solitude deeply affects me because seeing them feels like looking at another version of myself,” he recounted.
A boda boda rider’s income is not sufficient to fund such an endeavor, so John sought alternative ways to boost his earnings.
Is John receiving any backing from Kenyans?
He gets substantial backing from his TikTok fans, who now form the core of his project.
I don’t collaborate with any brands or organizations for my charitable activities; instead, I am supported primarily by kind-hearted Kenyans. Much of the assistance comes through my TikTok followers, who contribute willingly. Today’s helper may assist again in the future, or perhaps it will be an entirely different individual. TikTok serves as the principal channel where I obtain financial aid.
I’m not only an influencer but also use the small earnings I receive from brands to support charitable activities. So far, though, I haven’t reached out to any NGOs or businesses for collaborations; this endeavor is solely between myself and my audience,” he clarified.
John acknowledged that not everybody backs his work and that he has encountered difficulties—particularly in the digital sphere.
John speaks about the difficulties he encounters on social media.
He employed a Biblical analogy to demonstrate how social media has the power to either bolster or sabotage someone’s purpose.
In Matthew’s Gospel, when Jesus discussed the Kingdom of Heaven, he employed the analogy of wheat and darnel. Wheat represented the positive seeds sown by him, whereas the darnel symbolized those planted by Satan. Similarly, certain remarks found on social platforms can be likened to this harmful weed; they aim to suffocate and obliterate the beneficial contributions such as uplifting messages and virtuous actions posted by individuals online.
One time, when one of the girls I support joined me for a live session on TikTok, she was wearing her school uniform and looked well-nourished. However, some viewers started accusing me of falsely presenting her as my wife and trying to deceive Kenyans through this pretense. This was particularly painful since the girl could read these comments,” he shared.
A difficult instance arose when he was charged with providing street children with food that he had not sampled personally—an accusation he vehemently refuted.
In the majority of his video recordings and photographs, John can be observed sampling the cuisine initially as a means to establish rapport with the children.
“If the food was poor quality, we might all fall ill. I would never risk their safety. Regardless of these trolls and negative comments, I make an effort to disregard and steer clear of them,” he mentioned.
Has John witnessed firsthand transformation of street kids?
John has seen personally how street children can change, which only intensifies his enthusiasm further.
He enthusiastically announced that more than 60 children have been brought back to their families, while some of the remaining ones have either returned to school or found jobs.
That brings me immense happiness—similar to witnessing a non-believer embrace Christianity and observing the transformation. We have helped numerous individuals reconnect with their loved ones. Many had fled or were forced out due to various problems, yet I ensure I listen to their stories thoroughly before reaching any conclusion.
Not all are illiterate. One young man who had been with me since 2019 had scored a B+ in school. When he told me his story, I was stunned. I connected him with someone who gave him a good job. Others have started small businesses like selling smokies,” he said.
How closely does John interact with the street children he feeds?
John keeps close ties with the children living on the streets to gain a deeper understanding of their situation and provide substantial assistance.
He has the ability to spot troublemakers and assign responsibilities to individuals he deems reliable.
“They find themselves in their current state not out of preference but because of circumstances. Among them, some are exceptionally bright, serene, and compassionate, whereas others lie at the far end of this spectrum. It’s more than just feeding; I engage them in significant discussions. As they grow older, time becomes increasingly scarce. My aim is to witness genuine transformation in their lives,” he stated.
His ultimate objective is to rid the streets of child presence and guarantee that everyone he assists departs in an improved condition compared to when they arrived.
Homeless children speak about John’s assistance and compassion.
Johnson Kuria is among numerous individuals whose lives have been influenced by John. He recounted his experience as follows:
“I viewed myself as insignificant and pointless, but he reinstated my worth and honor. He provided me with clothing, meals, and guidance. We have shared deep discussions, and I owe much of who I am now to both God and him,” he stated.
A different individual named Magaru commended John for his modesty and dedication.
“His affection has changed me. I am still baffled by how someone who was once a stranger could care for me as if I were his own child. Though I lack the means to compensate him financially, I pray that God will bless him abundantly. By instilling hope within me—and yes, providing sustenance—he has enhanced my quality of life,” he said with a chuckle.
John Ga Cucu celebrates his 33rd birthday with children from the streets
In another tale, John marked his 33rd birthday by celebrating with the children from the streets.
Following their shared dinner, he surprised them with an exquisite cake to celebrate the achievement.
He took pictures with them while they pulled silly expressions, savoring the sense of being cared for like a father they had always lacked.
