Remembering Jawed Sakhi: Support His Loved Ones

Our dear friend and family member, Jawed Sakhi, passed away on May 4, 2024. This unexpected tragedy shocks us, pains us, and calls for those who knew him to come together as a community and offer our support. All donations will directly support Jawed’s family, with a $50,000 match opportunity described in more detail below.

Please read on for a message from Jahid Sakhi, Jawed’s younger brother.

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Writing this piece through tears, with shaking hands, I feel the loss deeply: there is no older brother for me to lean on, no one to share both laughter and sorrow. It is with a heavy heart that we share the tragic news of Jawed's passing. He was on vacation in Mexico with friends when he tragically drowned last Saturday, May 4, 2024.

Some of you knew Jawed well, others less so, and some not at all. Jawed was humble, smart, caring, fun, loving, and brave—a supporter of 11 people, both financially and emotionally. He often said he was the luckiest person to be part of TGS, which profoundly shaped his life and personality, impacting our entire family. Jawed’s travels with TGS filled him with stories about his trips, classmates, teachers, and lessons that he eagerly shared upon returning home. Although our family has never met you, we feel like we know you all through the names and stories Jawed shared; you have been and are a part of our family, even if you didn’t realize it until now.

I am Jahid, now the older brother. Jawed was not just a sibling to me; he was a father figure, a mentor, and a constant support. He likely knew that one day, I would take over his responsibilities. As refugees dispersed across different countries—Jawed in the USA, our parents and siblings in Germany, and myself in Latvia—our origins kept us from attending his graduations, first job celebrations, and other pivotal moments. We even missed the moment his life slipped away. The pain of these absences haunts me. My mother often holds his graduation photo, crying and recalling how Jawed felt alone because we couldn't be there. But thanks to Jo, Ash and the TGS family, he felt supported through their love and presence. Thank you, Jo and the TGS family, for everything!

I'm struggling to find the right words, humbling myself to ask for help. We want to bring dear Jawed home for a final visit, thanks TGS Fam for not giving up on us in this tough time, thanks!!! We seek to honor Jawed’s memory appropriately. We have no expectations, but your support, prayers and presence would mean the world to the Sakhi family—even if only prayers!

Dear God, we have sent Jawed to your care. Please look after him as he looked after all of us. He deserves your care now. Love you forever, dear Jawed, my lovely brother. Rest well; I will take care of everything and make you proud.

With love and tears,

Sakhi Family

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Coming together is a way to honor Jawed’s love and memory. It is also a way to pay our respect and admiration for a remarkable responsibility that Jawed took on for years: his financial support for 11 family members, not just in Afghanistan but around the world. We, as a community, cannot fully substitute Jawed’s role. But we can help with the financial need that is required to bring Jawed to rest and for his family to find a way forward.

Jawed's parents, originally from Afghanistan, are refugees in Germany now with most of Jawed’s siblings still in school. Therefore, we are raising funds to assist the family with their living expenses and basic needs for the next 1-2 years.

THINK Global School (TGS), Jawed’s formative high school, will oversee the transfer of these funds. Additionally, Joann McPike, founder of TGS, has pledged to match donations up to USD 50,000.

Thank you for honoring Jawed’s memory. We will forever remember him, miss him, laugh at his jokes, learn from his deeds, and, in looking back, smile at the times we shared together.

Much love and gratitude, Jo & Ash on behalf of TGS + David & Ali on behalf of his Georgetown community.