By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
A man who grew up away from the country has impacted others within the country and continues to do so genuinely, without wanting anything in return.
Mutaz Abakar (45), originally from Sudan, Africa is a beloved employee at the Salina Family YMCA. Many employees and individuals who attend the YMCA, talk highly of Abakar as he is described as a 'man of the people.'
"Mutaz is a man of the people," said Director of Human Resources and Communications, Cherie Grigsby." "Each day I walk in and he’s standing there prepared to greet me, get members signed in,and share a joke with a guest whose on their way out. Mutaz is the type of human that remembers special occasions and notices the return of members who’ve been gone for a while. People feel seen when they interact with Mutaz and the Y is grateful to have such a superhero on our team."
Overcoming obstacles
Abakar grew up in Sudan with his family before receiving his U.S. citizenship in 2014. He lived in a village, attended school and worked with his family on a farm they owned in Sudan. Back in 2005 in his early 20's, Abakar was sent to a refugee camp in Ghana without his family after war conflicts within the country of Africa.
He talked about life within the refugee camp was 'tough,' but overcame the obstacles by building relationships with others.
"Life was tough, but it helped when I built relationships with other people," said Abakar.
After Abakar spent 5 years in the refugee camp, he went through an 18-month long process to get a travel visa in order to work in the U.S. He then arrived in Kansas City, where he improved and worked on speaking English. Abakar was not able to find a job in Kansas City, but moved to Salina where he got his first job at Sunflower Bank, where he also received his GED and earned a Bachelor's Degree from KSU Salina in Engineering Technology.
Abakar then started working at the Salina Family YMCA in 2018 and is currently a manager and membership staff member.
"I love my job and I love meeting new people," said Abakar. "I have to continue to work, I love to stay busy and I cannot imagine myself just not working. I also love to stay positive and be nice to other people."
Comments from the YMCA staff
"We’re lucky to have Mutaz on our team and in our community," said CEO, Chris Lehecka. "The only time he missed opening the Y was during a snowstorm in December 2024, so he bought a truck to make sure it wouldn’t happen again. He’s dependable, well-respected and always brings a fun personality (along with giving us a hard time when we deserve it)."
"Mutaz embodies the YMCA and truly loves his job," said Wellness Director, Hope Varela. "Every year members get him a card and generously donate to his Christmas present. If this isn’t the very definition of someone with great integrity, I do not know who is."
"Mutaz is the face of the YMCA," said Sports Director, Jonathan Barajas. "He is the unsung hero and makes that first brew of coffee for all who walk in at 4:30 am. He always makes sure that you are seen and he is a hard working man, with a sincere heart."
Abakar opens the YMCA everyday before 4:30 am and has been doing so for 7 years.
