Laura was born in the United States. Her foreign parents took her back to their home country when Laura was a baby. Now, 18, Laura reached out to AODVC, detailing the horror of child abuse by her father that she has endured for a lifetime. We are in the process of getting Laura back to the USA without her parent's knowledge. She knows she must start her life over completely and sever any ties to family members in the foreign country. This project will help us help Laura start college in the USA.
Young American women often find themselves trapped overseas by abusive parents. This is devastating as they are reliant on their abusers for everything from their basic needs to education. Laura is afraid her parents are going to arrange a marriage for her and is desperate to escape and get back to the USA for safety. Once back in the USA, we have arranged a safe place for her to stay. She wants to being college in the winter term.
By helping Laura with money for tuition for the first term at her local community college, Laura will get a good start on her college education.
The project serves 500 women per year empowering them to find alternatives to a life of violence so their children grow up in violence free homes with their self-esteem in tact with the hope of stopping the cycle of violence in future generations. For young women like Laura, who must leave their families and begin a new life in the USA, our programs are a lifeline for their safety, security and continuing their education so they can realize their career goals.
