Hope, a Nigerian boy who was once abandoned by his parents and villagers on the street, labeled as a witch, is now healthy and gifted in the arts after four years of being adopted by a charity.
In early 2016, a 2-year-old Nigerian boy brought the world to tears when he appeared in a photo on social networks. A stunted, naked baby in the middle of the street was being fed and given water by Anja Ringgren Lovén, a Danish volunteer, and founder of the charity DINNødhjæl.
The boy, named Hope, was abandoned by his family and villagers, shunned for being accused of witchcraft.
“When we rescued him, Hope’s condition was terrible. He was severely malnourished and suffering from many diseases. During the first two weeks of his hospital stay, he was in critical condition. We didn’t even have a chance to see him. I don’t know if he can survive,” Anja said.
Hope’s journey, guided by Anja and her charity, showcases a remarkable transformation over the past eight years. Having been rescued and nurtured after being abandoned, Hope has experienced a positive turnaround.
Anja describes Hope as now being very healthy, enjoying school, and displaying remarkable intelligence and talent in art. His proficiency in drawing has even led to the sale of many of his paintings, earning him the affectionate nickname “the little Picasso.”
Despite the challenges Hope faced, including not being able to reconnect with his parents or relatives since returning to DINNødhjæl, he has found happiness and pride in his journey. Anja, now an ambassador for Universal Peace Federation International, reflects on the resilience of children like Hope, emphasizing their innate ability to forgive and lack of prejudice.
Anja’s commitment to raising awareness about the importance of basic human rights, such as access to education, healthcare, and social protection, underscores the broader societal impact of addressing issues like abandonment, false accusations, and neglect. The story of Hope serves as a powerful testament to the transformative potential of compassion, care, and the restoration of fundamental human rights.
Accusations of witchcraft often arise in communities facing challenges such as death, illness, crop failure, unemployment, or infertility. Unfortunately, children can become victims of these accusations, being labeled as witches and subsequently abandoned by their own villagers.
Anja and her team have undertaken a commendable effort by rescuing and caring for over 300 children, with a current focus on 76 children at DINNødhjæl, West Africa’s largest children’s center. Among these children are 9-year-old girls who have endured torture, sexual abuse, and, disturbingly, even been buried alive.
This highlights the urgent need for intervention and support in communities where superstitions and misattributions lead to the victimization of innocent children. Anja and her team’s work not only provides physical care but also addresses the psychological and emotional trauma these children have experienced. Their efforts contribute to raising awareness about the harmful consequences of witchcraft accusations and promote a more compassionate and understanding approach to the challenges faced by communities.
“Education is the most powerful investment in society and the most powerful weapon against ignorance. To solve a problem, you need human interaction and communication, not human interaction. judgment. We are professional in the way we work. We need to help people change their minds and enlighten them through advocacy programs in rural areas,” Anja shared.
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