- Hope, a Nigerian boy abandoned in 2016 after being labeled a witch, has completed primary school.
- He is set to begin secondary school in September.
- The update was shared by Danish aid worker Anja Ringgren Lovén, who rescued him nearly ten years ago.
A Nigerian boy named Hope, who was abandoned by his family in 2016 after being labeled a witch, has successfully completed primary school and is preparing to start secondary school in September.
The update was shared by Danish aid worker Anja Ringgren Lovén, who rescued him almost ten years ago in Akwa Ibom State, in a Facebook post on Monday, August 25, 2025.
Lovén revealed that despite being deaf, Hope communicates through sign language and excelled academically, finishing primary school with some of the highest marks in his class.
“Hope has survived. He graduated this year and will begin secondary school next month. His story is known around the world, and every day I am amazed by his remarkable growth,” Lovén wrote.
She continued, “Getting to know Hope is a privilege because he is truly one-of-a-kind. Although he is deaf, he communicates brilliantly through sign language. Beyond being intelligent, he is a gifted artist, a skilled dancer, warm-hearted, caring, and has an amazing sense of humor.”
While celebrating Hope’s achievements, Lovén also highlighted the struggles of many other children who face similar accusations.
“Seeing Hope thrive makes me happy, but it also reminds me of the countless other children like him whose lives are tragically cut short. When a child is accused of witchcraft, it can mean the end of their life. Still, we will never give up. It’s a challenging mission, but with the support of Land of Hope, we will continue to save lives,” she said.
Hope’s story first caught international attention in January 2016 when a photo of Lovén giving water to the then two-year-old, severely malnourished after months of neglect, went viral.
After his rescue, Hope was taken to Land of Hope, a foundation co-founded by Lovén and her husband, Nigerian lawyer David Emmanuel Umem. The organization provides shelter, education, and healthcare for children accused of witchcraft in Nigeria.
Nearly ten years later, Hope has grown into a bright and talented young boy and is ready to advance to the next stage of his education.
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