A Nigerian boy who survived being branded a witch and abandoned to die has achieved an extraordinary educational milestone twelve years after his rescue. Samuel, whose childhood was nearly cut short by superstitious accusations, has now gained admission into a university, marking a triumphant turnaround in his life story.
From Near-Death to Matriculation
The heartwarming development was shared by Anja Ringgren Lovén, the Danish humanitarian who rescued Samuel back in 2013. On her Facebook page, she posted a powerful side-by-side comparison showing Samuel's viral old photograph from when he was first rescued alongside his current matriculation photo from university.
In her emotional post, Anja recounted: "I rescued Samuel 12 years ago. He was accused of being a witch and almost killed! After his rescue I sat down with him to eat food. Children accused of being witches are believed to be possessed by evil spirits so nobody wants to share food with them. To share food with Samuel was my way to make him know that I did not believe he was a witch!"
A Journey of Transformation
The shared meal symbolized the beginning of Samuel's transformation from a rejected child to a young man pursuing higher education. Anja expressed immense pride in her Facebook update, writing: "And now after 12 years under my care I watch with much pride Samuel celebrating his matriculation today. He did it!! Congratulations Samuel! 12 years ago, we shared a meal together and my only wish back then was for you to survive and get an education. My wish came true because of your support to Land of Hope. I'm forever grateful."
Samuel's story represents one of many successful rescues facilitated by Land of Hope, the organization founded by Anja that provides shelter, education, and rehabilitation for children accused of witchcraft in Nigeria.
Public Reactions to Samuel's Achievement
The news of Samuel's university admission sparked overwhelming positive reactions across social media platforms. Winnie Kubayi commented: "I wonder where does this barbaric act of believing that children are witches, come from? May you receive more strength to help more of these kids. Be blessed."
Blessing Otunsha Ashibita added: "Congratulations to Samuel and God bless you people in land of hope for the wonderful work you're doing."
Ogechukwu Rosemary Orji expressed: "Thank you Anja for all you've been doing to these rejected and abandoned kids. God alone has your rewards. You inspire me a lot. Remain blessed."
Ezekiel Ugwuaba praised Anja's dedication: "Anja, am so so passionate about you. U are different, you have God kind of heart, u are special breed sent for special assignment here on earth. God bless you Ma."
The overwhelming sentiment reflected both celebration for Samuel's achievement and appreciation for Anja's continued humanitarian work in Nigeria.
Broader Context of Child Witchcraft Accusations
Samuel's case highlights the persistent challenge of child witchcraft accusations in certain Nigerian communities. Children branded as witches often face:
- Abandonment by their families
- Physical violence and torture
- Denial of basic necessities including food
- Exclusion from educational opportunities
- Social ostracization
Organizations like Land of Hope work tirelessly to combat these harmful superstitions while providing life-saving intervention for vulnerable children. Samuel's educational success demonstrates how proper care and support can transform lives that might otherwise have been lost to superstition and neglect.
This inspiring story follows another recent case where a Nigerian boy finished primary school years after being abandoned for similar witchcraft accusations, indicating that with proper intervention and community support, these children can overcome their traumatic beginnings and achieve academic success.
