By Paula Lucas | Founder
Leeanna and her little girl, Lulu, are finally home — safe in the United States after escaping years of abuse in Germany.
The violence had become a daily reality. When her husband began physically abusing Lulu, Leeanna knew she had to act. She promised herself that her daughter would never grow up a victim of abuse, no matter the risks.
It was at that desperate turning point that Leeanna found Pathways.
Together, we built a careful, strategic plan for their escape. Because her husband controlled every movement and never allowed them to leave the house alone, each step required extraordinary caution. With the help of the American Embassy, we coordinated their departure — ensuring that when the moment came, they could safely board a plane while he slept in the middle of the night.
Today, Leeanna and Lulu are safe, supported, and beginning their healing journey. Pathways arranged for housing, legal guidance, and counseling to help them start anew. The effort demanded over 40 hours of coordination with the U.S. Embassy, attorneys, and service providers — most of it completed by our tireless volunteer advocates.
Since 2019, Pathways has received no government funding to assist American victims of domestic violence abroad. Your donations through GlobalGiving make stories like Leeanna and Lulu’s possible.
From all of us — and from Leeanna and Lulu — thank you for your compassion and steadfast belief in our mission. Because of you, another family is safe.
Thank you!
The Pathways' Team
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