Benefit dinner scheduled for 10-year-old struck by car in Lewiston

LEWISTON — Members of the community — including Geiger School staff and students — and several family friends will be hosting a benefit dinner for 10-year-old Jamal Hussein from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12 at Raymond A. Geiger School. This benefit dinner is being arranged to help his family prepare for Jamal’s transition home after spending months in the hospital working to heal from the life-changing traumatic brain injury he has as a result of the accident in August.
“Our (Geiger) community, staff, students and families, want to support Jamal and his family in any way that we can, ” said Geiger School Principal Cindy Gish. “He will always be a Geiger Gator! His close friends and classmates want to help; it makes them feel connected in some way. The staff here at Geiger will do anything we can to support them in this transition. We all love Jamal, and miss how his smile lit up any room.”
Hope is what everyone is clinging to. Hope for the best possible outcome. Hope for Jamal’s long-term comfort. The goal of the Pasta With a Purpose event is to spread hope. In addition to a full Spaghetti dinner — prepared by the Green Ladle — there will be a silent auction and bake sale; the children in Jamal’s fifth-grade class will be hosting a station for card making. There will also be a short presentation by close family friend, and Author Cynthia Anderson, whose new book titled “Home Now” features Jamal’s family and their journey from refugee camps to their home here in Lewiston. All l proceeds from the event and any book purchases will be given directly to the family. Tickets are required in advance for this event (to ensure there is enough food) and can be purchased at Geiger Elementary School or by purchasing tickets at www.eventbrite.com/e/pasta-with-a-purpose-benefit-dinner-fundraiser-for-jamal-hussein-tickets-80263070003
As of Nov. 14, Jamal remained at Franciscan Children’s Hospital & Rehab Center in Massachusetts. While he continues to make small progress, the reality is that he has lost significant functionality and is unable to speak, eat or respond to request of movement. The future is uncertain for how much functionality will be regained, but those who love him are not giving up hope.
In a Facebook post on Nov. 12, Jamal’s father, Abdikadir Negeye, thanked everyone for their continued support and prayers. “Patience is not about how long you can wait, but how well you behave while you’re waiting,” he noted.
“We are so fortunate and blessed to live in such a caring and compassionate community. ‘Thank you’ will never be enough to describe our gratitude and appreciation,” Negeye said. “Jamal’s transition home is exciting and daunting at the same time. So much learning and preparation needs to be done to help care for Jamal at home – including securing special equipment and remodeling portions of our home to accommodate his needs.”

PHOTO: Jamal Hussein was serverly injured when he was struck by a car in Lewiston. A fundraising dinner is scheduled for Dec. 12. (Submitted photo)