Hope, the Nigerian boy who was branded a witch, stigmatized, and left to die on the streets of Akwa Ibom, has defied all odds by graduating from primary school in July 2025.
The boy, who is deaf, communicates using sign language and achieved one of the highest grades in his class.
Hope was rescued in January 2016 by Danish aid worker Anja Ringgren Lovén after being abandoned by his family.
He was severely malnourished and had wandered the streets for months, surviving against all odds.
Anja and her husband, Nigerian lawyer David Emmanuel Umem, brought Hope to the Children’s Education and Development Foundation (ACAEDF), also known as “Land of Hope,” which they co-founded.
Anja shared the uplifting news on August 25, 2025, expressing her gratitude and pride in Hope’s extraordinary development.
She described him as a unique and talented individual, not only academically gifted but also an excellent artist and dancer, with a warm and caring nature and a great sense of humor.
Hope’s story became globally known after a viral photograph of Anja offering him water while he was severely malnourished raised awareness of the plight of children accused of witchcraft in Nigeria.
Despite being deaf and facing immense challenges, Hope has thrived under the care of “Land of Hope” and is set to begin secondary school in September 2025.
Anja emphasized the ongoing struggle to save many other children like Hope, who face persecution due to superstitions, and called for continued support for the foundation’s efforts to rescue and educate vulnerable children branded as witches.
Hope’s remarkable journey stands as a beacon of hope and resilience against stigma and neglect.
