“Love Heals,” 9 Years Ago, a Woman Rescued a Sick, Starving Boy — Today, He’s Truly Unrecognizable

Anja Ringgren Lovén, a compassionate Danish humanitarian, has dedicated her life to rescuing and caring for children in dire circumstances, offering them a second chance at life. She gained global recognition in 2016 when a heartwarming image of her rescuing and nurturing a young boy, later named 'Hope,' inspired millions, showcasing the power of kindness and transformation. His difficult condition at the time was a call to action for many.

Today, we bring you an inspiring update on Hope’s journey. His transformation is truly remarkable, and his story is one of resilience and love.

A new beginning for a little boy.

Hope’s story is one that will deeply move you. In 2016, Anja Ringgren Lovén, a remarkable Hope’s story is one that will touch your heart. In 2016, Anja Ringgren Lovén, a remarkable humanitarian, discovered a tiny, two-year-old boy alone in a Nigerian village.

He was frail and abandoned by his parents and needed care and support. His journey, filled with love and new beginnings, highlights the strength of human compassion.

But his life was about to take a new turn. Anja, the founder and director of Land of Hope, an organization devoted to rescuing and caring for abandoned children, didn’t hesitate for a moment. She took him in, named him Hope, and, together with her team, supported him on his journey to recovery.

Anja has already saved countless children from hunger and hardship, and she remains steadfast in her mission to continue this life-changing work.

To start her incredible journey, Anja Ringgren Lovén took a bold step in 2012 by founding a Danish non-governmental organization with a powerful mission — to provide education and unwavering support for children in need, ensuring a brighter future.

Determined to make a real difference, she set foot in Nigeria for the first time the following year, ready to change lives. Anja is married to a Nigerian man, David Umem, and together, they’ve built something truly extraordinary.

Through their NGO, Land of Hope, they have rescued over a hundred children who had been abandoned by their families. But they didn’t stop there! With dedication and love, they created what is now known as the biggest children’s center in West Africa — Land of Hope in Akwa Ibom — a safe haven where these kids can heal, grow, and reclaim their childhood.

Anja will never forget the day she met Hope.

In one of her interviews, Anja said, “I was born and raised in one of the worlds’ safest and richest countries, Denmark. So to live and work in Nigeria has been a challenge and learning experience.”

“In 2014, I gave birth to me and David’s first child, David Jr. and being a mother to a Nigerian baby, and going on 7 years now, living in Nigeria has turned me into a Nigerian. But before travelling to Nigeria, I had spent years in Africa working as a humanitarian worker, so I had a lot of experience in Africa. But Nigeria is, unfortunately, a country with many problems. And this is a big concern to me.”

One of the many children whose lives have been transformed by Anja and her team is Hope. His early years were filled with hardship, but fate had something far greater in store for him. In January 2016, Anja and her team discovered Hope in a difficult condition, but they refused to let his story end there. They intervened, providing him with urgent medical care, nourishment, and, above all, love.

The woman did everything in her power to help the little boy experience the brighter side of life.

On how Hope was rescued, Anja said, "David, our team and I were on a rescue mission when we got a tip from a local villager about a young child in need of rescue. So we drove to the village to look at the case."

"Before the rescue of Hope, we had already rescued more than 50 children, who were also in a terrible condition, so we were well-prepared. The parents of Hope were not in the village and had left him alone on the street. We took Hope to the hospital for treatment and the rest is history. Today, he is a very healthy and strong young boy who loves to go to school and play with his friends at Land of Hope."

In one of her Instagram posts back in 2024, Anja wrote, "It’s been almost 9 years since I rescued Hope. Time flies and love heals."

The boy is now thriving, surrounded by people who love and care for him.

In another post, Anja told the story of how Hope was rescued, saying, “Hope was born January 2013 making him 10 years old today. The story of his rescue was witnessed by the entire world, and he became the face of our work.”

“Hope’s development is inspiring. His life was at a crossroads when I found him. But love and resilience won in the end. Yesterday, at Hope’s school, the students celebrated the end of the school term with a cultural day.”

“Hope was wearing agbada, worn widely in Nigeria but more by the Yoruba tribe and around almost all part of West Africa.”

Recently, Anja shared a video that left many people deeply moved and overwhelmed with emotions.

Recently, Anja shared a powerful and emotional video on her Instagram page. The footage beautifully traced Hope’s journey from the first moment she found him to where he is now, showcasing his incredible healing, both physically and emotionally, over the years. The video has already received more than 16,000 likes, but it’s the heartfelt comments that truly stand out, revealing the deep love and concern people have for Hope and other children in similar situations.

One person wrote, “I remember... This is so emotional. God bless you and everyone that has helped this foundation.” Another added, “Every time I watch the story my eyes fill with tears! You and your team are such an inspiration.” A third commenter shared, “One of the most beautiful stories ever! You are all such true heroes!”

And here's another inspirational story of a world-renowned ballerina, which serves as a testament to the power of love, determination, and the transformative potential of adoption. From being labeled the “Devil’s Child” in an orphanage to gracing the stages of prestigious ballet companies, her journey is truly extraordinary.