Boy Once Abandoned and Branded a Witch Graduates Primary School

Once abandoned and falsely accused of witchcraft, a Nigerian boy named Hope—rescued by Danish humanitarian Anja Ringgren Lovén in 2016—has now graduated from primary school with top grades and is set to begin secondary education, symbolizing resilience and the life-changing impact of compassion.

A young Nigerian boy named Hope, who captured global attention in 2016 after being abandoned by his family and accused of witchcraft, has now graduated from primary school and is set to begin secondary school in September.

Danish humanitarian Anja Ringgren Lovén, who rescued Hope in Akwa Ibom State nearly a decade ago, shared the heartwarming update in a Facebook post on August 25, 2025. At the time of his rescue, Hope was just two years old, severely malnourished and left to fend for himself.

In her recent post, Lovén revealed that Hope, who is deaf and communicates through sign language, graduated 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,” she wrote.

Lovén described Hope as a bright, talented, and compassionate young boy, praising not only his academic achievements but also his artistic skills, dance talent, and sense of humor.

“If you get to know Hope you are lucky because he is so very unique,” she added. “He is very intelligent, a talented artist, an excellent dancer, warm and caring, and has a great sense of humor.”

While celebrating Hope’s transformation, Lovén also reflected on the many other children who face similar accusations and tragic circumstances in Nigeria.

“Some days it makes me think about the thousands of ‘Hope’s’ out there who we will never get to know. Once a child is accused of being a witch, it’s the end. But we will never give up. With your support to Land of Hope, we will continue to save lives,” she said.

Hope’s rescue marked a turning point in the fight against child witchcraft accusations in Nigeria. The viral photo of Lovén giving water to the frail boy in 2016 sparked international outrage and support. Since then, Hope has been under the care of Land of Hope, an organization co-founded by Lovén and her husband, Nigerian lawyer David Emmanuel Umem.

The foundation provides shelter, education, and healthcare for children accused of witchcraft, helping them rebuild their lives in a safe and supportive environment.

Now nearly a decade later, Hope stands as a living testament to resilience, compassion, and the power of second chances.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, GISTREEL