Nigerian boy who shocked the world after being left to die on the street by his parents builds new life

Hope (left) and Anja Rinngren Loven during their first encounter in 2016. Photo courtesy of Anja Rinngren Loven's Facebook

Hope’s story made global headlines in 2016 when a haunting image of him as a starving two-year-old, weighing just three kilos, clutching a ragged doll and drinking from a plastic bottle offered by a woman went viral, the Daily Mail reported.

His parents had abandoned him, believing he was possessed by the devil and bringing bad luck to their family. Left to survive on scraps on the streets of Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, Hope was discovered by Anja Rinngren Loven.

Loven, 47, the founder of Land of Hope, an NGO fighting superstitions about witchcraft and rescuing "witch children," said of her first encounter with Hope, "He was so weak — I gave him a little carton of juice and he didn’t even have the strength to lift it to his mouth."

Superstitions surrounding witchcraft often lead to the abandonment and mistreatment of children in Nigeria, U.K.’s Metro newspaper reported. "Normally we rescue children that are at least four or five – we couldn’t understand how anyone could have thought a two-year-old was a threat," Loven said.

Loven, who had initially feared he would not survive, recalled, "When we got to this little boy, he was smelling of death," she told The Mirror. "I thought he would die in my arms. We don't know how he pulled through, but he did." After spending three months in the hospital to recover from severe malnutrition, he was given a second chance at life.

Hope in his primary school graduation day on August 25, 2025. Photo courtesy of Anja Rinngren Loven's Facebook

Today, Hope, now 12, has overcome the odds. He recently graduated from primary school with one of the highest grades, a proud moment for Loven and her partner, David Emmanuel Umem.

"Not only is he very intelligent, he is a talented artist, an excellent dancer, he is very warm and caring and on top of that he has a great sense of humor," Loven said in a Facebook post on Aug. 25.

Despite being deaf, Hope communicates through writing and has developed a passion for art, earning the nickname "Little Picasso" from his teachers. His dream is to pursue a career in the arts.

"He is now very independent, strong and intelligent – and has lots of friends. I am so proud he graduated [school] – and he was so full of pride too."

Loven plans to encourage Hope to write a book about his life when he is older.