On January 30, 2016, a photo went viral. It showed Danish aid worker Anja Ringgren Lovén kneeling beside a frail, naked boy in Akwa Ibom State, offering him water.
That boy, just two years old, had been branded a witch by his family and left to die.
He had wandered the streets for months, malnourished and alone, until Anja received a call and led a rescue team—including her husband, Nigerian lawyer David Emmanuel Umem—to save him.
They named him Hope.
Land of Hope and the Fight Against Superstition
Hope was taken to the Children’s Education and Development Foundation, also known as Land of Hope.
The foundation, co-founded by Anja and David, provides shelter, education, and healthcare to children accused of witchcraft.
Hope, though deaf, learned to communicate through sign language. He grew stronger, smarter, and more confident.
In July 2025, he graduated from primary school with one of the highest grades in his class. He begins secondary school this September.
Anja shared the news on Facebook on August 25.
“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.”
“If you get to know Hope you are lucky because he is so very unique. Hope is deaf but despite that he is able to communicate using sign language.”
“Not only is he very intelligent, he is a talented artist, an excellent dancer, he is very warm and caring and on top of that he has a great sense of humor.”
A Call to Action for the Forgotten Children
While celebrating Hope’s progress, Anja reflected on the thousands of children still suffering in silence.
“All the above makes me happy but some days it makes me think about the thousands of ‘Hope’s’ out there who we will never get to know.”
“Never get to know because their lives are short. Once a child is accused of being a witch it’s the end.”
“But we will never give up. It’s an uphill battle but with your support to Land of Hope we will continue to save lives.”
Hope’s story is not just a tale of survival—it’s a reminder that there may still be other similar cases. It’s also a reminder that old superstitions still exist and claim their victims, but compassion, often from strangers, still abounds and continues to save.
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