The founder of Nigeria-based Non-Government Organization Land of Hope, Anja Ringgren Loven, shared her pride in the achievement of one of her “witch children”. The child recently won first prize in The Children’s Funfair Art Competition. She had rescued the child, Edet, from an abusive home and community and saved his life. She shared that the rescue story of Edet is available in the documentary “Anja and the Witch Children.”
The founder took the opportunity to share the story of his rescue to celebrate his victory. According to Anja, the community accused Edet of being a witch and the whole community outcasted him. The people had beaten him, and he feared the community members would kill him. However, she and the Land of Hope Director of Child Development Nsidibe Orok rescued him.
Anja Ringgren Loven shared that Land of Hope participated in The children’s Funfair Art Competition last week. She shared the competition results. She was very excited to announce that Edet took 1st position in the painting category. This year’s theme for the competition was: “The Impact of social media on a Nigerian Child”. Anja shared that while presenting his painting to the judges, he discussed the emergence of the internet in his own words.
Edet: “Social media offers many benefits for youths through the use of Facebook and Instagram, which mommy Anja has used to save mine and many children’s lives. So let’s use social media to voice out”. Consequently, Anja shared that I’m not the hero in this story. Edet is the hero. 7 years ago, his community accused him of being a witch. However, today he won his first art competition and has become an inspiration to many young Nigerians.
Accordingly, Edet is proof that no matter how cruel and dark life can be, it can’t take away our freedom to respond and our power to take action
