Step Up for Robel!

Hello, Greater Portland! My name is Margie and I’m fundraising for Robel Alemayo Tesema, his wife, Hewan, and his 2 daughters. Shortly after his American dream of buying his own home had come true, Robel was dealt two crushing blows: a lay off from his job at Abbott Labs where he had worked heroically throughout the pandemic followed by a diagnosis of Stage 4 colo-rectal cancer. As a young immigrant from Ethiopia, Robel captured the hearts of all who came into contact with him. Sweet, loving, generous, and charismatic, Robel always helped out those in need. He overcame many obstacles, including homelessness, to graduate from Portland High, while working various jobs and participating in Mentor programs and student activities. He volunteered many hours giving presentations at various high schools regarding health issues, including homelessness, HIV/AIDS, and teen pregnancy, and volunteering at at the Multilingual Office. My children call Robel their brother and I became his American mother, helping and mentoring him throughout his high school years. The entire Multilingual Office staff contributed to his success but we benefited even more than he did with his participation in our activities and gatherings, sharing stories and culture. Robel spent 11 years cheerfully serving us as bagger, cashier, and cafe leader, and Ambassador for Community Culture at the Forest Avenue Hannaford. He, not only served cheerfully at desk duty at the YMCA, but he was also was a trainer and Summer Camp Coordinator who initiated camp days for youth and orphans. As a young, married man he was an Uber driver extraordinaire in addition to his other jobs, just to make ends meet. When the Pandemic hit, he answered the call to serve public health and safety at Abbott Labs where he quickly rose to Team Leader of Covid Testing and Production. He worked long hours, recruiting and training lab testers and workers throughout the dark pandemic days. His team was responsible for training over 3,500 testers, across the nation. Saving every penny for a down payment for a house where he and his wife plan to raise their two young daughters, Robel met every obstacle with resilience, hard work, and generosity, helping out others along the way. First a layoff then a devastating diagnosis! Work is not possible for the time being. He needs to concentrate on his health. A blessing is that transition help currently includes medical insurance but it leaves many gaps. Robel stepped up for us when we needed him. Will you join me in stepping up for Robel and his beautiful family to help with his uncovered expenses, mortgage, and bills.