Dramatic rescue of two-year-old boy accused of being a witch in Nigeria
By Stephanie Busari, CNN .. February 19, 2016
Story highlights
- Danish aid worker says the boy, whom she calls Hope, had been living on the streets and survived on scraps
- Belief in witchcraft thrives worldwide, with reports of abuses from places as removed as Gambia and Nepal
- “Poverty is actually a twin sister to ignorance,” says worker in local group that rescues such children
Lagos, Nigeria (CNN)

The boy was abandoned by his family, who accused him of being a witch, according to the aid worker who found him in Uyo, southeast Nigeria.

Charity Worker Anja Ringgren Loven, who works with Danish charity DINNødhjælp, helped a starving Nigerian boy, who she later named Hope, after he was abandoned after being accused of being a witch.

Desperately emaciated, the 2-year-old boy could barely stand as he thirstily gulped water from a bottle.

Heartwarming pictures of her feeding the boy water and wrapping him in a blanket before taking him to hospital were also posted online on Loven’s Facebook account on Jan 31, 2016.
A 2-year-old Nigerian boy who was abandoned by his family receives a bath from aid workers.

Danish aid worker Anja Ringgren Loven says Hope, had been living on the streets naked and survived on scraps from passersby. When she found him, she says, he was riddled with worms and had to have daily blood transfusions to sustain him. He was wandering on the streets for eight months.
Hope received blood transfusions and medication to remove worms from his stomach.
“Thousands of children are being accused of being witches and we’ve both seen torture of children, dead children and frightened children,” she wrote in Danish on Facebook, as she appealed for funds to pay for food, medical bills and schooling.

Loven is the founder of African Children’s Aid Education and Development Foundation, which she created to rescue children labeled as witches.
Anja Ringgren-Loven’s Husband, David Emmanuel-Uwem – Family – Nairaland

David and Anja are parents to their very adorable son, David Junior Lovén Umem.

Anja described him as a “strong little boy”

***

Unbreakable bond: The Danish care worker who saved an emaciated Nigerian boy Hope (pictured) from certain death after his family cast him out for being a ‘witch’ has told of her love for him

Recovery: Two months after Anja rescued Hope (pictured), he has reached a healthy weight and can play with other children

Anja explains how Hope has hypospadias – meaning the urethra is located on the under side of the penis instead of at the tip. Anja adds: “This is an operation the doctors have performed many times, so Hope will be very fine.”

Anja’s own 18-month-old baby plays with Hope on a regular basis. Photo: Anja Loven

Incredible recovery of the Nigerian Boy Saved by Anja Ringgren Loven
Anja Ringgren-Loven Helps More Nigerian Children (Photos) – Family – Nairaland
Sources:
unilad.co.uk
dailymail.co.uk
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