Akwa Ibom Boy Once Branded a Witch and Left to Die Graduates Primary School

In a remarkable story of survival and hope, a young boy once left to die after being accused of witchcraft in Akwa Ibom has graduated from primary school and is preparing to begin secondary education.

Hope, as he is fondly called, first captured the world’s attention in January 2016 when Danish aid worker Anja Ringgren Lovén was photographed kneeling to give him water. At the time, he was just two years old, severely malnourished, and abandoned by his family after being branded a witch. The heartbreaking image went viral, sparking global outrage and compassion.

Lovén, alongside her husband David Emmanuel Umem, rescued the child and took him to the Children’s Education and Development Foundation (ACAEDF), also known as Land of Hope, a shelter for vulnerable and stigmatized children. There, he received medical care, nourishment, and education, beginning a journey of transformation that defied all odds.

Nearly a decade later, Hope has grown into a thriving young boy. Despite being deaf, he has excelled in his studies and developed talents in art and dance. On Monday, August 25, 2025, Lovén announced that Hope had graduated with one of the highest grades in his class at Beautiful Gate International Schools, Eket.

“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,” Lovén wrote in a Facebook post. She described him as intelligent, talented, warm, and full of humor, noting that he communicates fluently in sign language.

Hope’s story continues to serve as a powerful reminder of the plight of children accused of witchcraft across parts of Nigeria and beyond. Many, unlike him, do not survive the stigma and neglect. “Once a child is accused of being a witch, it’s the end,” Lovén said. “But we will never give up. It’s an uphill battle, but with support to Land of Hope, we will continue to save lives.”

From a child abandoned to die on the streets to a proud graduate holding his certificate, Hope’s journey is a testament to resilience, love, and the life-changing power of compassion.