Hello and thank you to all those kind enough to click this page. I am a 24-year-old woman who is attempting to bring my best friend home. My dear friend of over a decade, a bright, intelligent 25-year-old woman is currently being held against her will in Yemen by her family. Lena Mohammed** is a U.S. citizen who came to visit her family last year, but has now been stranded in the middle of a war-torn and famine-stricken country with no way out. Her family has taken her hostage, has previously taken her U.S. passport against her wishes multiple times, and is preventing her from leaving even though she continues to make it abundantly clear she wants to come back home to New York City.

Lena is a New York native, born and raised. She is a staunch advocate for Palestine and the LGBTQ+ community. Before she travelled to Yemen in June 2024, Lena was using all of her time and energy working as a community organizer, completing her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, taking care of her extended family, and passionately defending human rights through her humanitarian efforts.

Due to her circumstances in Yemen, including but not limited to weak internet/electricity & an abusive household, Lena has not been able to finish her final credits for her Bachelor’s degree. Lena is an ambitious student who is striving to one day become a human rights lawyer, but her academic growth has been stunted due to her current entrapment.

This GoFundMe is being created by someone who loves Lena dearly and has missed her every single day. She is a pillar in the community she has cultivated here in NYC. I have faith in her ability to bring greatness to this changing, chaotic world. Lena wants nothing more than to come home, complete her studies, and build the life she deserves in the city she loves & belongs to. Lena is hoping she can finally break free from a family that has physically, emotionally, mentally, and psychologically harmed her for nearly her entire life. She is hoping she can, for the first time ever, be on her own and no longer be restricted by the abuse she has endured for years on end. Lena also hopes to bring her younger sister to America and have the means to provide care & housing for her. Her sister is a minor and has also been victimized by these circumstances. She is currently in the process of emigrating to the U.S.

Your generous donation will be what helps Lena escape these awful conditions. Any amount is deeply appreciated. Lena needs money for a plane ticket from Yemen to Egypt, and then Egypt to New York. She also needs money so that she can have shelter and other basic necessities while she returns to school & looks for work. Lena deserves the chance to establish a foundation for herself like any other young adult. I kindly ask for you to please donate and/or share this link with others. Lena deserves to live a life where she does not have to suffer every single day. This money is strictly intended for Lena's travel funds & basic necessities. Thank you very much for your consideration!

**Lena is using an alias for protection & privacy. She has chosen to censor her face for this reason. This is a life or death situation. The goal is for these plans to be executed as discreetly as possible. Thank you for your understanding!