Hope, a Nigerian boy abandoned by his parents and shunned by his community, left to fend for himself and branded as a witch, now thrives in health and showcases remarkable artistic talents after four years of being embraced by a charitable organization.
In early 2016, a 2-year-old Nigerian boy brought the world to tears when a photo of him circulated on social networks. A malnourished, naked child sitting in the middle of the street was being fed and given water by Anja Ringgren Lovén, a Danish volunteer and founder of the charity DINNødhjælp.
The boy, named Hope, was abandoned by his family and villagers, shunned for being a witch.
“When we rescued him, Hope’s condition was terrible. He was severely malnourished and suffered from many diseases. The first two weeks of his hospital stay, he was in critical condition. We didn’t even have a chance to see him. I don’t know if I can survive,” Anja said.