From the Kingdom to America:Reunite

My name is Jasmine Clarke, from Washington, DC. I was a volunteer that served in the Peace Corps in a rural community in the Kingdom on ESwatini working with youth and service providers give training and education on HIV mitigation, income-generating activities, evidence based curriculums for young adolescent girls about transmission & risk, and specialized training for teachers on incorporating positive discipline and eliminating corporal punishment. 

In mid-March, Peace Corps Director made the decision to globally evacuate all 7,300 volunteers serving around the world due to the spread of COVID-19 and the closure of international borders. I had lessthan 48 hours to say my goodbyes (virtually) to all the people I connected with in the country, to mourn the life I created there, and most immediately, find a temporary home for cat, Ra. We were blessed and fortunate to find a loving family with pets for him to stay with all this time, in hopes of being reunited again once the borders re-opened. Now is that time and I need all the help and support that I can get. 

Ra is my chosen family. He was gifted to me by a gogo (a grandmother) in my community when he was just a few weeks old. He’s been my emotional support, my companion since he was given to me. He is full of energy and love. He likes to be outdoors and climb trees, he loves affection and his favorite food is tuna. He doesn’t kill birds or chickens but he is a great hunter and enjoys eating rats, mice, and killing deadly snakes.  I learned that Ra is an Egyptian Mau and by fate, happened to be named after the Egyptian Sun God, Ra. He wakes me when I have bad dreams, cuddles with me when I am sad, gives me spacewhen I want, and gave me comfort when I was homesick. The locals in my community were fascinated with our bond and how Ra would follow me down the dirt roadwherever I was going without a leash! (Unless we passed a tree he’d like). I miss the memories we created together in the silence and natural beauty of the country where me met and loved & took care of one another. I made a promise to him the day I put him on a bus to his foster family—he knew he was leaving for awhile— and it was to bring him to the US to be with me in my new home, on this new journey. I am excited to keep that promise and to be with my fur baby again✨

The money you donate here will cover the cost of his transport, his medical requirements and papers to travel & any additional needs that may come up in transit. Please donate what you can and share! If you cannot donate, please share.  Any and everything is appreciated.

With Love,
Jasmine Clarke