A young Nigerian boy once abandoned and left to die after being accused of witchcraft has celebrated a remarkable milestone, graduating from primary school with outstanding grades.

The boy, named Hope, first captured global attention in 2016 when Danish aid worker Anja Ringgren Lovén rescued him on the streets of Akwa Ibom State. Emaciated and frail, he had been ostracised after being branded a witch. A viral photograph of Lovén offering him water drew worldwide sympathy and support, highlighting the plight of children facing similar accusations in parts of Nigeria.

Since then, Hope has been raised under the care of Land of Hope, a non-governmental organisation co-founded by Lovén and her husband, Nigerian lawyer David Emmanuel Umem, to protect and rehabilitate children accused of witchcraft.

Nearly a decade later, Hope has defied the odds, excelling both academically and personally. Announcing his achievement on Facebook, Lovén shared her joy over his graduation.

“Hope survived. He graduated this year and starts secondary school next month,” she wrote. “His story is world famous and every day I look at him and feel so grateful for his incredible development.”

Lovén described him as deaf but thriving through the use of sign language. She praised his intelligence, artistic skills, dancing talent, warmth, and sense of humour, calling him a truly unique child.

While celebrating his progress, she also drew attention to the thousands of children still suffering under harmful traditional practices.

“Some days it makes me think about the thousands of ‘Hope’s’ out there who we will never get to know, because their lives are short. Once a child is accused of being a witch it’s the end. But we will never give up. It’s an uphill battle but with your support to Land of Hope we will continue to save lives,” she added.

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