A Nigerian boy, Hope, who was abandoned in 2016 after being branded a witch, has defied all odds to complete his primary education and is now preparing to enter secondary school in September.
The uplifting update was shared by Danish aid worker, Anja Ringgren Lovén, who rescued him nearly a decade ago in Akwa Ibom State. In a Facebook post on Monday, August 25, 2025, Lovén described Hope’s journey as nothing short of miraculous.
According to her, Hope who is deaf but communicates fluently through sign language graduated from primary school with some of the highest grades in his class.
“Hope survived. He graduated this year and starts secondary school next month. His story is world-famous and every day I look at him and feel so grateful for his incredible development,” Lovén wrote.
She went on to describe the boy as not only intelligent but also multi-talented. “Hope is deaf but communicates beautifully with sign language. He is a gifted artist, an amazing dancer, very warm-hearted, and has a wonderful sense of humor,” she added.
A Story That Touched the World
Hope’s story first captured global attention in January 2016 when shocking images surfaced online showing him, then a two-year-old, emaciated and abandoned on the streets after being accused of witchcraft by his family. The heartbreaking photo of Lovén bending down to give him water went viral, symbolizing both the cruelty of such accusations and the possibility of compassion.
He was later taken in by Land of Hope, a humanitarian foundation established by Lovén and her husband, Nigerian lawyer David Emmanuel Umem. The organization is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and educating children accused of witchcraft across Nigeria.
Hope Beyond Hope
Today, Hope’s transformation represents a powerful example of resilience and the impact of consistent care. From a frail boy fighting for survival, he has blossomed into a thriving student eager to pursue his secondary education.
However, Lovén used the occasion to reflect on the plight of many other children who are not as fortunate.
“All this makes me happy, but some days it makes me think of the thousands of ‘Hope’s’ out there who we will never get to know because their lives are cut short. Once a child is accused of being a witch, it’s often the end. But we will never give up. With your support to Land of Hope, we will continue to save lives,” she said.
The Bigger Picture
Accusations of witchcraft against children remain a pressing human rights concern in parts of Nigeria and across some African communities, often fueled by poverty, superstition, and exploitation by unscrupulous religious figures. Victims are frequently abandoned, tortured, or killed, while others endure lifelong trauma.
Organizations like Land of Hope have been working tirelessly to challenge these harmful beliefs, provide safe shelters, and reintegrate rescued children into society through education and vocational training.
A Symbol of Change
Nearly ten years after his rescue, Hope is no longer the frail child from the viral photo but a confident, intelligent boy ready to begin a new chapter in life. His journey serves as a beacon of what is possible when compassion and persistence triumph over stigma and neglect.
As Lovén summed it up: “Hope is alive, he is thriving, and he is the living proof that every child deserves a chance.”
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