Princess' Story
How Princess Promise Got Started
In May 2012, Mike DiLeo traveled to Sierra Leone with his church and immediately felt a deep connection to the country and its people. Something about Sierra Leone captured his heart, and he knew God was calling him back.
One year later, during a return trip, Mike visited an orphanage and met a seven-year-old girl named Princess. Her joy, resilience, and gentle spirit left a lasting impression on him. As he spent time with her, Mike became convinced that God had brought Princess into his life for a reason. At first, he believed that reason was adoption.
But God had a different plan.
Hearing The Call
Becoming advocates for vulnerable girls like Princess
As Mike and his wife, Leanne, prayed and sought God's direction, they came to understand that their calling was not to bring Princess out of Africa, but to become advocates for vulnerable girls like her. What began as a connection with one child grew into a much larger vision—a vision to rescue girls from abuse, provide safe and loving family care, and help them discover the hope and future God has for them.
In 2015, Princess Promise officially became a nonprofit organization based in McKinney, Texas. Since 2016, Princess Promise has worked to rescue girls from abuse, neglect, and exploitation in Sierra Leone. Through safe family care, education, healthcare, counseling, discipleship, and ongoing support, we help girls heal from trauma, experience the love of Christ, and build lives filled with hope and opportunity.
Inspired By a Young Girl's Journey
A Reminder of The Impact When Girls Can Dream
The name Princess Promise was inspired by the young girl whose life helped reveal God's calling. Since founding Princess Promise, Mike has traveled to Sierra Leone more than 27 times and has seen Princess on nearly every visit. Over the years, Princess Promise has supported her education and personal development, including providing a private tutor to help her succeed in her studies.
At a young age, Princess shared her dream of becoming a doctor. Today, that dream is becoming a reality. After graduating from high school, she began her studies at the University of Sierra Leone's College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences.
Princess's journey is a powerful reminder of what can happen when a girl is rescued, loved, encouraged, and given the opportunity to dream. Her story continues to inspire Princess Promise's mission as we work to ensure that vulnerable girls throughout Sierra Leone can grow up safe, experience the love of Christ, receive an education, and pursue the future God has planned for them.
