Land of Hope has been playing a significant role in protecting the children of Nigeria from abuse and torture. The story of Godswill is proof. Several communities in the more backward areas of the country believe that children are witches. This superstitious belief leads them to abuse and torture their children. Often the families and communities also kick these children out of their homes under the influence of superstition.
For the last decade, Nigera-based NGO Land of Hope has been working to rescue these children and give them a better life. The founder of the NGO shared a similar story, where the NGO was able to save the child from dying with their timely actions. The Director of Child Development of Land of Hope, Nsidibe Orok, rescued Godswill three years ago. The NGO believes that they rescued him from severe conditions.
The NGO shared that Godswill was only nine years old and accused of being a witc when they rescuedh him. Telling his story, the founder, Anja Ringgren Loven, shared that he was facing abuse from his father Since Godswill was only 4 years old. His stepfather had abused him “on and off” and later kicked him out of the house. The stepfather claimed that Godswill was a witch and the cause of the family’s problems.
One day Land of Hope Director of Child Development Nsidibe Orok spotted Godswill around a local marketplace. Orok could tell that something was wrong. Seeing kids running around wearing dirty and ripped clothing in poor communities is not unusual. However, Orok saw that Godswill also had many bruises and cuts on his legs and arms.
Orok approached Godswill to give him money to buy food. However, what Godswill said was very heartbreaking. The i.e. year old said, “Sir, I don’t want money. I want you to help me leave the market. The account shared by Land of Hope suggested that he was fearful for his life and safety.
He would not be alive today if we did not rescue Godswill that day. Thank you all for supporting Land of Hope and participating in our fight against accusing children of being witches, a menace that has led to torture, abandonment and killing of thousands of innocent children!
