Remembering Ali Muhina
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Ali Muhina was an eleven-year-old boy whose death was accidental. No one ever could have imagined this would happen. Today, on the anniversary of he and his family’s resettlement in the United States, Ali’s parents had to do the unthinkable and identify their beloved son’s body.
Yesterday, Ali was playing alongside the Winooski River with friends when the current pulled him under water. His friends tried desperately to rescue him—they tried pulling him out of the water and tossed tree limbs towards him to hold on to, but they could not save him. Despite almost immediate search efforts by the Winooski Police, his body was not recovered until late this afternoon, when Ali’s parents, translators, close relatives, and I were asked to see the body before he was sent to the hospital for an autopsy.
Ali was brilliant. He cooked family meals without being asked to. He would clean his family’s apartment and look after his younger siblings if his older sister was not around. He made everyone who crossed his path happy. Dozens of community members gathered at his home today in tears, sharing memories about how special Ali was. We are all in disbelief.
Ali and his family are refugees. After being forced to flee their country and spending many years suffering in refugee camps, they were granted a second chance at life by being resettled in Vermont a year ago today. Like other New Americans, they are working tirelessly to overcome language barriers, financial barriers, and transportation barriers. Now, they also have to live through the unimaginable grief of losing a child.
We are asking you, our community members, or anyone who can help, to help support Ali’s family in this incredibly difficult time. Ali’s parents cannot afford to take off of work, much less finance funeral costs to remember their son in the way he deserves. Any dollar we raise will help the family make ends meet and go towards funeral costs. No matter how small your donation, it will help Ali’s family know they are not alone. Thank you so much for your donations and prayers.
Yesterday, Ali was playing alongside the Winooski River with friends when the current pulled him under water. His friends tried desperately to rescue him—they tried pulling him out of the water and tossed tree limbs towards him to hold on to, but they could not save him. Despite almost immediate search efforts by the Winooski Police, his body was not recovered until late this afternoon, when Ali’s parents, translators, close relatives, and I were asked to see the body before he was sent to the hospital for an autopsy.
Ali was brilliant. He cooked family meals without being asked to. He would clean his family’s apartment and look after his younger siblings if his older sister was not around. He made everyone who crossed his path happy. Dozens of community members gathered at his home today in tears, sharing memories about how special Ali was. We are all in disbelief.
Ali and his family are refugees. After being forced to flee their country and spending many years suffering in refugee camps, they were granted a second chance at life by being resettled in Vermont a year ago today. Like other New Americans, they are working tirelessly to overcome language barriers, financial barriers, and transportation barriers. Now, they also have to live through the unimaginable grief of losing a child.
We are asking you, our community members, or anyone who can help, to help support Ali’s family in this incredibly difficult time. Ali’s parents cannot afford to take off of work, much less finance funeral costs to remember their son in the way he deserves. Any dollar we raise will help the family make ends meet and go towards funeral costs. No matter how small your donation, it will help Ali’s family know they are not alone. Thank you so much for your donations and prayers.
Organizer and beneficiary
Fay Abukar
Organizer
Winooski, VT
Salimu Abdirahman
Beneficiary
