“Those we love don’t go away,
They walk beside us every day,
Unseen, unheard, but always near,
Still loved, still missed and very dear.”
Late night January 26th, 2012, the Samaké brothers received some distressing news. Their usually healthy mid-40’s brother Moussa Samaké who was serving with the Mali troop in the UN Peacekeeping force in Haiti suffered a major stroke and passed away. His death left behind his sweet wife Mama with 6 kids: Fatima, Kadi (17), Djeneba (15), Dja (13), Momedy (6) and Papus (1). It also left his 17 brothers and sisters, their families and 2 mothers devastated.
Moussa was a good man. He was probably Yeah’s biggest cheerleader and was more of a mother to him than a brother. Moussa was the second child born to Yeah’s mom Sanamba Samaké. He was the backbone of the Samaké family. Very early on he joined the Mali army to serve his country. He was very well respected among his peers and very well known among the armed forces in Mali. When check point police would sometimes see Yeah in his car they would salute and let us through thinking it was Moussa. Moussa was a very generous man. He gave with no complaint to his family’s demands. For Tabaski, he used all the money he had earned in Haiti to buy 7 sheep ($150 each) and bags of rice to be distributed among the different members of his family so all his family could celebrate the big feast.
What I will remember of Moussa is this generosity. I will remember the world his daughters meant to him. His daughter Kadi has stayed with us for the last 5 years since her mom passed on as well. He never failed to ask how she was doing. He would always talk about Kadi with pride to all his friends and family. He promised me that he would make it to her graduation next year in America. I am sure that is one promise he will keep. I will never forget what a gentle father he was or how much he loved all his children and his family. But most of all I will never forget the impact he made on the man Yeah is today. Moussa contributed in his own way to the strength and confidence that Yeah shows.
He will live on forever in the love of all his family. At this time, I pray that his family may find some peace. Most of all I pray that his daughters that lost their mother 5 years ago, will know that their father was a good, sweet man that did make a difference in this world.
To his family:
Ala ka hine fure la: May God have mercy on the deceased
Ala k’a dayoro sumaya: May his resting place be cool
Vive la famille Samaké ! We love you Moussa and we will miss you.
Moving Mali Forward 
Liz Jessop
January 29, 2012 at 15:36
God bless the Samake family. I am praying for you all. This brought tears to my eyes. So well written. Love you guys!
Jennifer Quinn
January 29, 2012 at 21:19
May you all be blessed with the comfort of peace at your time of loss. ❤ What a lovely tribute; no doubt his legacy will continue forever!
Ginny D
January 29, 2012 at 23:17
So sorry to hear about your family’s loss. May God’s peace surround all of you at this difficult time.
Christopher S Krey (@kreycs)
January 30, 2012 at 00:21
Ala k’a dayoro sumaya.
Samake Idi
January 30, 2012 at 11:02
Thank you Marissa. I will add only that it is a great loss for our family.
Adele Kammeyer
January 30, 2012 at 15:04
Marissa, what a beautiful, eloquent and loving tribute to what sounds like an amazing man. Thank you for sharing these insights. May God bless and comfort all of those who are mourning his loss.
Jane Bryner
January 31, 2012 at 03:32
Oh, Yeah and Marissa, I am so sorry to hear about your brother’s death. I am sending prayers and warm thoughts your way, and hope that his sweet children and all of your family will feel comfort and peace in this difficult time.
Louise
January 31, 2012 at 07:55
We are so saddened by this terrible loss and our hearts go out to Kadi, Yeah, Marissa, and all of Yeah and Moussa’s family. I can understand the heartbreak of Mamma and all of Moussa’s children with Moussa’s unexpected passing.
All our love and prayers for comfort and peace,
Louise, Trevor, Alex, and Lauren
Kim Stephens
January 31, 2012 at 17:51
I did not know Kadi’s mother or father. Yeah made it possible for me to know their beautiful daughter Kadi. I believe Kadi has learned and exhibits every good trait her parents had. Kadi’s family must be very proud of her. What a remarkable young woman she is.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful Kadi with me and our learning community. I feel blessed to know Kadi. My prayers and thoughts for comfort and love at this time are with Kadi and her great family.
Kim Stephens
Allen Todd Wilkes
February 2, 2012 at 03:56
A wonderful tribute to a great man!
Yeah and Moussa were such great hosts on our 2006 visit to Mali. It was clear they are both so respected in their community and family, where it counts the most. The Samake family has much to be proud of!
K.J. Stratton
February 2, 2012 at 22:39
Yeah and Marissa,
Our condolences to you and your family. What a tragedy. May the Lord be with you in the coming days and months.
K.J., Macie and Eva
Djiba Soumaoro
February 7, 2012 at 03:38
Musa Samake ala ka hine i la. Ala ka ye fisaya i man ni ya ye. Ala ka harijine nogoya i ye. Ala ki sara i baara kenlenw na Welesebugu la, Mali kono, farafina kono ani dununfaben.
Musa i ya an bila gnanafina.Joni denbena aw na di sisa. Joni denbena aw na dusu ka bila barala sisa.Musa i tununa nga i ma ba kasabuku i ka gnuma kelenw ye.Saya be se mogo la nga a te se i togola. Mali cenw ani Mali mosow denminsew ani Makoro be ka dunbabu i ye.
Ala ma hine i la ki i jorogna ki fara sulamenw sunw ka.