Anja first laid eyes on the toddler who was walking naked through the dusty streets, riddled with worms and so weak he could barely stand.
Anja rescued him and named him Hope, which she said was meant to give him the strength to recover.
That was in 2016. Two years later, Anja has teamed up with her Nigerian husband who is also the Founder and Executive Director at African Children’s Aid Education and Development Foundation, David Emmanuel Umem, to build what they both call a “safe haven” for children like Hope.
Taking to her Facebook wall on Friday, Anja narrates: “David Emmanuel Umem and I had a dream almost six years ago. We wanted to create a safe environment for children who were tortured and abused because of superstition. We worked so hard everyday for many years to fulfill our dream.
“It was not easy. We faced a lot of challenges along the way. Some attacked me saying I only came to Nigeria to exploit children for my own fame and glory. Some attacked me for being white and getting pregnant with a black man. Some attacked me for having tattoos.
“I was even attacked the day after I gave birth to David Jr. A person wrote to me that if I bring that bastard to Nigeria he would be killed ! David was attacked even more! I can write a book about the attacks we faced for many years.
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“But David is a strong man. He always told me to focus on our work and not let ignorance and stupidity from strangers affect our dream. But I was shocked to see the lack of morals from so many people, some even close to us. But our experiences in life, good and bad, make us who we are.
“By overcoming difficulties we gain strenght. And strenght does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength ! The weak fall, but the strong will remain and never go under!
“Today, David and I have build the biggest, most cleanest and most beautiful children center in Nigeria. A children center full of love and care, where education is our number one priority. And this is just the beginning!
“Forever we will fight superstition! Forever we will fight for child rights ! Forever we will promote the importance of education! Forever we will keep building schools and children hospitals ! Forever we will save the lives of innocent children !
Ignorance and stupidity can NEVER stop us!!
“Only two years ago, this land was a big area of bushes and trees! Today, we call it Land of Hope.”
See the video, as posted by Anja Ringgren Lovén on her Facebook wall:
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See more photos below.
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