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Years after it first caught global attention, the haunting image of a malnourished young boy by the roadside in a Nigerian town continues to convey a powerful message.
The child, who later became known as Hope, was discovered naked and severely undernourished on the streets of Akwa Ibom, Nigeria by a charity volunteer, sparing him from an almost certain fate.
In the photo Hope is seen desperately suckling from a plastic bottle, almost half his size, as he is fed water by the volunteer.
Clutched in his hand, is his only possession, a small raggedy doll – a reminder of a childhood stolen from him.
At just three years old, Hope was abandoned by his parents and village, forced to survive alone by scavenging for food.
When volunteers of the charity Land of Hope eventually found the child crouched by the end of a roadside he weighed just 7lb.
Following an investigation, it was revealed that his parents expelled him due to a disturbing belief that he was a witch possessed by evil spirits.
The practice, is sadly one that is all too prevalent in some quarters of the world today – and it has began to appear in the UK too.
Authorities acknowledge that this issue, often linked with certain African and Asian diaspora groups but not limited to specific faiths, nationalities, or ethnicities, is believed to be under-reported.
Hope is just one of many barbaric ‘black magic’ banishings that occur in some corners of the world
When he was found by his rescuers in 2016 they were sure he would die (pictured in hospital)
Today, Hope continues to defy the odds and has now left primary school (Pictured with his rescuer Anja Rinngren Loven)
Children with disabilities, twins, and those experiencing epilepsy, autism, or minor behavioral issues have traditionally been at higher risk of being accused of witchcraft.
This week, the Daily Mail can reveal the number of children in England suspected of being abused because of witchcraft, sorcery and black magic beliefs has surged to its highest level on record.
Official figures show 2,180 children were identified as potential victims of abuse linked to faith or belief last year- a rise from 2,140 in 2023 and 1,960 in 2022.
The disturbing figure represents a 49 per cent increase on 2017, when 1,460 suspected victims were identified by social services.
After Hope’s horrific ordeal he spent three months in hospital recovering from severe malnourishment under the care of his rescuer, Land of Hope founder Anja Rinngren Loven, 47.
The good Samaritan told The Mirror when she first saw the child she thought he was too malnourished to be saved.
She explained: ‘When we got to this little boy, he was smelling of death. I thought he would die in my arms. We don’t know how he pulled through, but he did.’
But survive and thrive he did.
Today Hope is 12-years-old and has just graduated primary school to the delight of Anja and her partner David Emmanuel Umem, 35.
Hope is deaf and communicates through writing but has big dreams for his future and is referred to as ‘Little Picasso’ by his teachers at his orphanage as he wants to have 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’, added Anja.
Tragically, other children who are victims of the horrible tradition are not always as lucky as Hope
The Local Government Association described the figures of suspected faith-based abuse as ‘deeply worrying’ and called for council social services to be better funded.
A spokesperson said: ‘These numbers are deeply worrying, and councils are determined to act on any signs of abuse.
‘The reality is councils receive around 1,700 referrals to children’s social care services every day, and continue to face mounting pressures providing support to children and young people.
‘It is vital children’s services are adequately funded in the Autumn Budget so that councils have the resources to invest in early help and intervention, to prevent children reaching crisis point.’
Professor Charlotte Baker, of Lancaster University, said: ‘Abuse linked to faith or belief occurs across the United Kingdom, often targeting children or vulnerable individuals and may result in physical, emotional, or psychological harm.
‘These abuses include spirit possession, witchcraft, ritualistic abuse, and related harmful practices, which occur in many parts of the world today.
‘These types of abuse are very difficult to detect and address, and efforts have gone into improving understanding among those who may come across victims of these abuses in their work.’
Colleague Leethan Bartholemow, of theInternational Network Against Witchcraft Accusations and Ritual Attacks, added: ‘It is much more of a problem then we recognise that it is.
‘There is much more work that needs to be done.’
