Hope, a young boy from Nigeria who was once abandoned by his parents and left to fend for himself on the streets, faced societal prejudice as he was labeled a witch. However, his story has taken a remarkable turn as after being taken in by a charitable organization, he has not only regained his health but also discovered his remarkable talents in the arts.
Back in early 2016, there was a heart-wrenching image circulating on social media that moved people to tears. The photograph depicted a 2-year-old Nigerian boy, malnourished and abandoned, sitting alone in the middle of a desolate street. Providing some solace to this helpless child was Anja Ringgren Lovén, a selfless Danish volunteer and the founder of the charitable organization DINNødhjæl. Lovén generously fed the undernourished toddler and offered him water, capturing the attention and sympathy of the entire world.
The young lad, named Hope, faced abandonment from both his family and the villagers, as they rejected him over accusations of being a witch.
“When we saved him, Hope was in a terrible state. He was extremely undernourished and afflicted with numerous illnesses. During the initial two weeks of his hospitalization, his condition was critical. We didn’t even have an opportunity to catch a glimpse of him. I’m unsure if I can endure this,” expressed Anja.
Aпja brought Hope back to her charity, where she has been caring for abandoned 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥reп for the past eight years. During the four years she has been with them, Hope has undergone an incredible transformation.
“Now, Hope is thriving and enjoying her time at school. She is exceptionally intelligent, and her true passion lies in art. Hope has a natural talent for drawing, and many of her paintings have been sold. We even refer to her as the little Picasso,” Aпja added with pride.
Although Hope has returned to DINNødhjæl, she has not been able to reunite with her parents, and the organization has been unable to reach any of her relatives. Despite the challenging start she had in life, Hope is now able to look back happily on the photo taken when Aпja found her.
“He would often gesture towards the photograph and display a proud smile,” shared Anja, now serving as an ambassador for Universal Peace Federation International. “However, I am aware that this is not a reflection of pride. Children are born with the innate ability to forgive and remain unbiased. We raised Hope to embody these qualities, despite her parents abandoning her and falsely accusing her. It is disheartening to think that someone, like a witch, cast me away onto the streets to perish, while corruption prevailed. A society cannot flourish if its people are deprived of basic human rights, such as access to education, healthcare, and social protection.”
Accusations of sorcery often arise from death or illness within the family, crop failure, unemployment, or infertility. In some cases, children are unfairly targeted and labeled as witches, leading to their abandonment by the community. A remarkable individual named Anja and her dedicated team have successfully raised over 300 children and currently provide care for 76 minors at DINNødhjæl, which is the largest children’s center in West Africa. Shockingly, among these children are nine-year-old girls who have endured unimaginable horrors such as torture, sexual abuse, and even being buried alive.
“Education holds immense value in society as both a powerful investment and a formidable weapon against ignorance. When confronted with challenges, it is crucial to rely on human interaction and effective communication, rather than relying solely on judgment. Our approach to work is driven by professionalism. In order to make a meaningful difference, it is necessary to assist individuals in changing their mindset and enlightening them through advocacy initiatives in rural regions,” Apanja expressed.