In 2016, a photograph of a fragile two -year -old boy who drank water from the hands of the social activist Anja Ringgren Loven shocked the world. The boy, tightening a worn doll, stared his eyes tired into the void. Hope has been appointed – a symbol of life in the midst of despair.
Hope’s life began in tragic circumstances. His parents and inhabitants of the local village believed that the child was owned by the evil spirits, a superstition that forced him to the street to survive on food waste. When the volunteers of the Land of Hope organization found it, it weighed only 3.2 kg, light as a newborn baby.
Anja Ringgren Loven, founder of Land of Hope, recalled: “When I saw him, I thought he would die in my arms. I couldn’t understand how he survived, but he did it.”
Hope has spent three months in the hospital recovering from a serious malnutrition. During this period, the viral photo that captured its rescue attracted global attention, inspiring millions. Once healed, hope was welcomed in the Land of Hope center, joining over 80 other children abandoned due to superstition.
Now 11 years, hope is without feeling, communicating through writing and the language of the signs. He gained the nickname “Little Picasso” thanks to his extraordinary artistic talent and passion for drawing. At the end of July, he graduated from the elementary school with better scores, celebrated by teachers and colleagues.
Anja shared: “Hope is not only intelligent but also a talented artist, a skilled dancer, kind and fun. Today he is strong, independent and surrounded by friends. I am so proud that he is living completely in his name, hope.”
The Land of Hope organization works tirelessly to combat harmful beliefs about witchcraft, which led to thousands of children in abandoned, tortured or killed Nigeria. By educating the rural communities, the group teaches that poverty and ignorance, not the supernatural forces, are the true culprits behind these tragedies.
Unfortunately, not all the children accused of witchcraft are as lucky as hope. According to the Daily emailIn 2024, over 2,180 children were identified as potential victims of abuses related to superstition, marking almost a 50% increase since 2017. Children most at risk include twins, those with disabilities or children with development disorders such as autism or epilepsy.
Professor Charlotte Baker of Lancaster University stressed: “Faith -based abuse can cause deep physical and psychological damage.”
Leethan Bartholemow, a member of the international network against the accusations of witchcraft, added: “This problem is much more serious than many realize. More actions are needed to protect these vulnerable children.”
From a hungry child abandoned on the edge of the road to a flourishing and talented boy, hope is the living proof that human kindness can overcome superstition. However, countless other children remain in danger, waiting for one hand and the possibility of living.
Sources: K14
