It began with morning walks, as we went for our routine walks in the jungle with our dogs, outside our gate, tucked against the wall, we first spotted her: a tiny kitten, no more than a few days old, snuggled close to her mother. Every morning, without fail, we’d see the mother cat nursing her baby under the fragile shade of an overgrown bush. They were a picture of resilience, clinging to each other in a world that seemed to pass them by. For three days, they stayed there, their bond a silent testament to survival. But then came the rain. That evening, as the storm raged, our thoughts turned to the little family outside. Anxiety gripped us. What if they were too exposed? What if the rain proved too much for them to endure? We couldn’t sit still. Grabbing our umbrellas, we rushed out into the storm. What met our eyes was heartbreaking. The kitten, shivering and frail, was huddled beneath her mother’s body. The mother had done everything she could to shield her baby, but both were drenched to the bone, their tiny forms trembling in the cold. We wanted to scoop them up right there and then, but the mother, protective and fierce despite her exhaustion, wouldn’t let us near. We couldn’t give up on them. Gently, we nudged them along the wall to a slightly safer spot, where they’d at least have some shelter from the relentless rain. And then, with heavy hearts, we stepped back to wait for the storm to ease, hoping we’d be able to intervene soon. By the time the rain stopped, the night was eerily quiet. We rushed back to check on them—but the mother was gone. She had vanished into the darkness, leaving her baby behind. It was both heartbreaking and hopeful. Was she coming back? Had she been scared off? We didn’t know, but we couldn’t leave the tiny kitten there to face the cold night alone. That’s how Zara came into our lives. We wrapped her in a soft towel, her frail body trembling against our hands. Her mews were weak but insistent, a tiny voice that seemed to plead for safety and warmth. We knew we could give her what the streets never would—a home, nourishment, and love. We named her Zara, inspired by the Arabic word 'zar', which means "flower" and also "light." It felt fitting for this little one who had already brought so much light into our lives. Zara wasn’t just a kitten; she was a symbol. A message. A gentle nudge reminding us of the countless others like her—strays and abandoned animals waiting for someone to care, someone to notice. The story doesn’t end there. Zara’s mother still comes around. We leave food for her at a safe distance, hoping that with time, she’ll learn to trust us. Perhaps one day, she’ll let us bring her in too, reuniting her with Zara under the safety of a shared roof. Zara has become more than a pet; she’s our inspiration. Her presence has ignited a fire in us to do more—to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome as many animals as we can. With every purr, every playful swipe of her tiny paw, Zara reminds us why we started this journey. She’s the light guiding our path, the flower blooming in the cracks of a harsh world. We believe Zara came to us for a reason. She’s a little beacon, urging us to stand firm in our mission to make this community a kinder, safer place for animals. And with her by our side, we know we’re on the right path. But we can’t do this alone. Zara’s care and the hope of one day bringing her mother into safety require resources, and that’s where you come in. If Zara’s story has touched your heart, consider sponsoring a cat like her. Your support can help us provide food, medical care, and a safe haven not just for Zara and her mother but for many other strays who need a chance at a better life. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we can be the light they desperately need.