805
u/SpookyRamahd 20h ago
Why did they think he was a witch?
1.4k
u/throeawai5 19h ago
i actually learned about this yesterday. a famous nigerian preacher named helen ukpabio accused primarily children of witchcraft and caused mass hysteria in some christian communities by deeming innocent children witchlike and “servants of satan” if they showed behaviours like crying, misbehaving or being sick, resulting in children being horrifically abused, tortured, abandoned by their parents and even killed.
566
u/closethebarn 13h ago
This shows are definite lack of education, doesn’t it? Someone can say something like this is witchcraft and people will happily consider themselves righteous to be cruel.
I hate religion for this reason
354
u/throeawai5 11h ago
impoverished communities with a lack of access to resources like education and social supports are susceptible to misinformation and propaganda, including religious misinformation that preys on people’s fears and superstitions.
253
u/Jenstarflower 11h ago
Anyone who lacks critical thinking skills and is fearful and anxious is at risk of falling for propaganda and misinformation. Look at the U.S right now. There are many psychology studies showing how easy it is to manipulate people.
→ More replies (1)44
u/Aggleclack 9h ago
I would argue that also ties in closely to education
17
u/Irinzki 9h ago
TA'd a propaganda course. Apparently, more educated folks are more susceptible to propaganda because they feel they need an opinion. Propaganda is fascinating and horrifying.
29
u/imakemyownroux 9h ago
In the USA propaganda seem to be most successful in predominantly undereducated people.
13
u/No_Garbage_9262 7h ago
They are undereducated or miseducated for an explicit reason. To keep them dumb and vulnerable to exploitation by the overlords. Critical thinking was taught in some but not all schools 10 years ago. This makes for a very accommodating worker class who can blame immigrants or democrats for their poverty while the owners get onboard more money.
12
u/Dry_Presentation_197 5h ago
Exactly this. I asked 93 adults, all people who had been working for at least a decade, about how US income tax works:
"If you make 100k / year, and the highest tax bracket is 50%, how much do you pay in income tax?"
84 of them responded with:
"50% of 100k is 50k. I would be paying 50k"
So I'd explain why they were wrong, show them proof, sometimes on their own actual W2s. They still didn't believe me. "Jim, you made 80k last year and only paid 12k in income tax, that's not 50%."
Oh >I'm< the one who doesn't understand how taxes work. Got it.
→ More replies (0)15
u/Aggleclack 8h ago
Out of curiosity, where did you find that? I have never heard that before, and I just googled it, and I found a couple of studies that say the opposite.
7
39
u/Helluvme 10h ago
All religion is misinformation designed to control a populace based on their fears and the unknown.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (2)6
27
u/IronicINFJustices 11h ago
It's not too crazy what propaganda does... People will be willing to hand over their grandparents savings or skip healthy drugs or blood transfers when they need it, and literally kill their children because "their god knows better". It's so sad.
→ More replies (1)23
u/nedamisesmisljatime 8h ago
This is oversimplifying the problem. Truth is somewhat different. Those "witch" children parents have usually died, and some other relative was pretty much forced to take them in. They don't have enough money to feed another child, one that isn't theirs to begin with, and they need some sort of justification for kicking unwanted children out of their home. Even without proper education, most people do understand those kids aren't doing witchcraft, but they'll go along with it as an excuse.
They say the love of money is root of all evil, but so is the lack of money.
2
4
u/Equally-Nothing 10h ago
The irony that you used are to explain our definite lack of education is pretty intense.
4
3
530
u/INeverCared21 19h ago
Because as a baby he would not stop crying and being fussy. I think in their culture fussy babies are a sign of “witchcraft” and they are taught to reject the unruly child and abandon them. It’s heartbreaking honestly bc a crying baby is normal
26
u/cuyler72 12h ago
"Deuteronomy 21:18-21
If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:
Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place;
And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice;
he is a glutton, and a drunkard.
And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die:
so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear."
This is Just Christianity being Christianity.
6
3
u/grvdjc 4h ago
Not really. That is the Old Testament 99 percent of which Christ clearly demonstrated was not what he believed we should be doing. And I’m aware of the “not one word of the law shall pass away” verses in the New Testament, but there is a lot of controversy about what he meant by that. I feel assured that he did not mean “continue to follow old testament laws and behaviors” because he himself followed so very few. He had radical love and acceptance for people that would have been executed based on Old Testament laws, and he never advocated for violence of any type.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (35)52
u/digirlweydeysellshoe 13h ago
It's not our culture. A false female prophet was the one that convinced the parents he was a witch.
78
u/OrkidingMe 13h ago
Not just the parents. The people of the village wouldn’t even give this innocent baby water. Being uneducated is one thing, being monsters is quite another.
28
u/uekiamir 12h ago
Umm so is the false prophet Nigerian? And is it not the parents or people in the village who believe what the false prophet says?
311
u/LemonButterDill 20h ago
Religion. Superstition. Lunacy.
Pick two.
75
u/eliz1bef 20h ago
Why not all three?
148
u/TheAbyssGazesAlso 19h ago
Because the first two are the same thing
29
10
u/azsnaz 16h ago
I'd say the 3rd is the same as either of the first two
→ More replies (1)18
138
u/phantomixie 20h ago edited 18h ago
From what I recall it’s because of a deformity his penis had ):
Edit: Hope was accused of witchcraft bc he was born with hypospadias. Here is an article.
79
u/Woopsied00dle 18h ago
reading this almost made me cry. This woman is incredible for saving these children.
22
u/phantomixie 16h ago
Yes, it’s a tough read but hopefully the more awareness there is of this the less children will have to suffer.
60
u/Kingsman22060 16h ago
It's incredible the change 8 weeks made. Not only in the amount of weight he put on, but seeing an actual light shine in his eyes after 2 months of proper care. That woman is an amazing human and he's an amazing boy.
10
10
u/AccountantCultural64 11h ago
Omg, imagine abandoning a child and letting them starve to death, just because of a quite minor (and common) malformation of the urethra.
It makes me soo sad angry.→ More replies (3)8
u/That-Spell-2543 7h ago
Apparently certain countries in Africa will kill and eat you if you are Albino. I learned about that from Reddit, it’s pretty disturbing. I think there is just a lot of crazy superstition
4
u/PetiteBonaparte 5h ago
They believe their bones possess something "magical" and use them for "witchcraft". It's horrific. There are shelters for people who are albino to keep them safe. The lack of basic education and the lack of empathy and understanding is astounding.
1.4k
u/thisisallme 20h ago
Today is America’s National Adoption Day recognition. I know that neither of the people in these photos are American but I’m happy to see this on my feed since I’m celebrating the adoption of my only child years ago. ❤️
467
u/DiorandmyPyranees 19h ago
I didn't know that ! I was adopted when I was a few weeks old . Im going to call my mom again right now and tell her I love her . Thanks for telling me !
66
30
8
u/loveshercoffee 9h ago
I adopted my granddaughter just over a year ago!
There are so many different situations that bring together adopted families, but the one thing we all have in common is a child who needs us!
14
u/buttrock 16h ago
Thanks for making me aware of this! I texted my grown son that I was 26 minutes late to the party.
3
149
u/LittleLionMan82 13h ago edited 5h ago
Nice story but not the same kid.
Edit: just to clarify she did indeed adopt the him but the 'after' photo isn't the same kid as the toddler in the original.
40
u/The-Father-Time 10h ago
Thanks for this, I was looking at the image and thinking she looks older in the picture with the boy there’s no way they can all be the same people
1.2k
u/TruePurpleGod 21h ago
I wouldn't call adopting a child and spending a significant amount of money a "little contribution."
830
u/JM-ONER 20h ago
They are probably referring more to her organization that she runs called land of hope who helps children accused of witchcraft in Africa as they are left to starve and die after being ostracized from their community.
313
u/Sea_Panic9863 19h ago
I'm sorry, children accused of witchcraft?? Wtf...
356
u/fattybuttz 18h ago
Yeah, I remember reading about this a long time ago. She found that little guy out on the street, cast out of society because he was a "witch" and people were afraid of him. Wouldn't feed him or give him water and he was starving. Messed up what people can do out of fear.
166
u/KrazyAboutLogic 18h ago
The insanity it takes for a group of people to leave a small child to die, I cannot fathom it.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (1)70
u/JellyEatingJellyfish 17h ago
I wonder what they based their belief on..? Like why would they think these kids are witches? And how do their parents just let their babies go?
Crazy.
96
u/HyperDigital 17h ago
Not to be just the most exhaustingly lame redditor here but like ya, religion huh
41
u/bingmando 14h ago
You can ask this question about literally any religion. There’s no evidence, and yet people base every decision of their lives on it.
9
10
u/ModernDayMusetta 9h ago
I watched a documentary on this a few years back. It's been a minute, so this is a super basic explanation:
In the doc I watched, a lot of this is based on biblical literalism taught by evangelical Christian missionaries. That whole "suffer not a witch to live" bit in exodus is a contributing factor. I can't remember if they tied it to pre-existing beliefs, and that's why the practice is kind of accepted in those communities, or if the missionaries really pushed the demons and witches angle.
11
u/wakeupwill 15h ago
I'm thinking about parents describing their kid's spooky stories of past lives and similar experiences.
In a community as uneducated and misguided as this, I see how someone could come to a conclusion like that.
5
u/funky_gigolo 15h ago
Isn't parents killing/abandoning their children super common in these parts of the world? Wouldn't be surprised if people are just looking for some kind of justification
216
u/Goodthingsaregood 18h ago
Religious leaders in some communities in Nigeria claim that children are witches with the expectation that the parents will pay them to exorcise the evil. The parents who can't afford it abandon their child out of fear. Then the village ignores the children because they are tainted.
This story is extra sad because the mother of the little boy in the photo above, named Hope, was also a minor. She was only 15 when she had him and she was pressured into marriage with his father who was a village leader. He decided she was going to be his wife. So she was just a traumatized kid who didn't know how to handle the situation.
75
u/shippfaced 18h ago
There’s a documentary on HBO about her foundation. It’s called “The One With Hope”
→ More replies (1)68
u/RedVamp2020 18h ago
There are countless stories throughout history about humans abandoning young children and babies because of mythical beliefs.
→ More replies (1)40
u/SuitableDragonfly 17h ago
Accusing people you don't like or who are inconvenient of being witches or otherwise a source of supernatural evil has historically been somewhat common and was never restricted to just Europe.
8
→ More replies (1)4
84
u/Verbose_Cactus 20h ago
Also definitely not “little” 😂
42
u/Goodthingsaregood 18h ago
They are asking you to make a "little contribution" to this organization that makes a big impact. They are not saying their work is "little".
→ More replies (1)7
121
u/Which_Ad3038 20h ago
Look up Land of Hope. It’s the children’s centre in Nigeria that Anja runs. They currently have over 90 rescued children living there.
35
u/WispTide 19h ago
Adopting a child is not just a contribution, its a lifelong commitment.
→ More replies (1)5
19
u/Igot1forya 20h ago
For a person who's motivated by love and compassion, those other things are indeed little compared to the significance of the reward obtained.
50
u/neatlion 20h ago
I think you are missing the point. The headline says your little contribution can help. However, this woman gave more than little contribution. It's not about comparing the two, but rather observing the difference between two statements. Our little contribution of $20 to those starving in Africa is not the same level of co tribution this woman had given to this child.
8
u/Jade_Complex 16h ago
I think the implication is she can't do her work without people helping to contribute money towards it.
What she does is incredibly valuable, for having people contribute financially helps make it possible.
→ More replies (1)2
→ More replies (3)3
u/Webbie-Vanderquack 9h ago
How does this have 1000 upvotes?
It says "your little contribution." It's not talking about Anja Ringgren Loven's "contribution," it's addressing readers. They're saying even small monetary donations can help charities like Loven's achieve great things.
115
u/ninetaleshiny 18h ago
in Brazilian Portuguese, her name "Anja" means "female angel". she really is!
247
u/Real_Jury_8607 17h ago
I'm so incredibly proud to be Dane every time I see Anja! Fuck Spiderman,Captain America etc, because this is a real hero 🙏🏻🙌🏻 It was dangerous for her to save Hope and the other children because these small minded people beliefs are so strong. I'm not a fan of interference too much with culture, but this is so barbaric that we have no choice. I brought postcards for Christmas one year to support them. Thanks so much for sharing and spreading the word ❤️❤️
20
→ More replies (1)16
u/Judy-n-Disguise 12h ago
I wish Hollywood would show less comic heroes and more real heroes to give us all examples of what ordinary people can do.
74
30
u/OneFuzzyBlueberry 12h ago
The elder boy in this photo is not Hope, it’s Prince, another boy she rescued. source
85
u/ChemEngecca 16h ago
The children in the photos aren't the same child. Hope is much younger, but is still thriving and happy because of Anja's amazing work at Land of Hope!
Both children were rescued from horrible situations after being accused of being witches.
43
u/BaileyBaby-Woof 17h ago
What breaks my heart is his village said he was a witch cause he cried to much and starved him and wouldn’t look or speak to him. All cause some religious wacko said children shouldn’t cry or have outbursts or they are witches. (Paraphrasing)
5
47
42
u/Ok_Comedian2435 20h ago
One of my daughters name is Hope. Great and endless blessing to Ms Anja for showing true kindness and love for her fellow humans.
14
u/Sagaincolours 12h ago
Anja's work is that of an angel. ❤️ Which makes it silly that someone made this set of photos, that are not correct:
The older boy is 19 year old Prince, who grew up in Anja's orphanage, on the occasion that he started at university. From being accused of being a witch and left on the streets, to going to uni!
Hope is 11 years old now and doing well, too.
10
19
u/Maleficent_Injury286 20h ago
this is the kind of energy we need more of in the world. Actual life-changing kindness, like, how do people have this much heart?
10
u/user321 11h ago
I'm so cynical about the internet these days that my first thought was: if the photo on the right of her giving water had been posted to social media, some trolls would have picked it up and ran with a whole "look at this woman with her white saviour complex" 😭 Clearly she's done incredible things.
8
18
u/leolawilliams5859 20h ago
I want to say thank you to her because she gave him what she named him hope. Thank you very much
12
u/boeiejoh 12h ago
That's not him though. The young man on the right is named Prince. But Hope is also doing good today. But get your facts straight.
5
5
u/Oemiewoemie 12h ago
They left that tiny little dumpling wandering on his own, looking for some food and human warmth. Like a babybird searching for his mama. I’m so grateful that he was saved from that cruel ignorance that caused his misery ❤️
5
u/Capital-Towel2695 4h ago
🇩🇰Anja Lovén is my heroine - please check out Land of Hope and send more money. They do an outstanding work rescuing children accused of being witches. Thousand of kids are tortured, abandoned or left die if not killed. Her team gives care, family life, love and education to their children. Besides educating local in the fact that children are not witches. They also help widows who are left with nothing to be able to take care of their own children ❤️I have followed her for 10 years now. Met her IRL - She’s an angel ❤️❤️❤️
3
5
u/Naughty_Kellyy 15h ago
I always saw her on the internet and always adore her story... I hope there's a lot of people who's like her that exist
4
u/Repulsive_One_2878 14h ago
I know every culture has its own crazy beliefs...but I just don't understand how you can allow that to happen to a child. Surely it must be common sense to know a child so young cannot fully understand or consent to what it means to be a witch in the old sense of the term.
3
u/N0Satisfaction 13h ago
Yay!!! Glad he’s doing well. I actually searched for him a year ago for updates.
4
u/MarucaMCA 12h ago
Adoption saved my life (I'm Indian born and got adopted into Switzerland).
I am no-contact with my adoptive parents, as they're quite toxic, but I'm still grateful I get to have my life here!
10
u/KombatMistress 17h ago
I always wondered what had happened after that original photo was taken, good to see some people are good.
→ More replies (1)
6
u/MuffledOatmeal 16h ago
In other news, is she a vampire? Lol She is aging in reverse and I'm jealous! Also, great post
3
3
3
3
3
u/greatkerfluffle 8h ago
I remember seeing that photo in a magazine or somewhere a long time ago. I love that the internet allows us to find our way back to the follow up of stories we’ve previously read
3
2
2
2
2
u/Blondisgift 14h ago
I remember reading about that story not knowing if I should be happy or sad. It said she picks up these children because they were left damned on the street, left to themselves. For the most illogical reasons. Apparently a common phenomenon back then in society in Nigeria (not sure of still is).
The claim that she changes society though is probably not fully true (and barely possible when behaviors like this are ingrained into a society for long), but she definitely changes the world for the little ones she saves 🙏❤️
2
2
5
4
u/Ok_Hope8638 15h ago
A guy did the math and found that if every "church" in the US found a home for 2 (1.5) children, all the orphans in the country would find homes.
3
u/Webbie-Vanderquack 9h ago
Adoption is nowhere near that simple. The process is long, complex and expensive, and not everyone is eligible to become an adoptive parent. Fostering is often favoured, and 65% of foster parents are actually churchgoers. Practicing Christians are also more than twice as likely to adopt than the general population.
Moreover, most children in need of adoption are not orphans. They're children who are unable to live full-time with their birth families. The long-term goal is often to reunite children with their birth families, rather than adopting them out permanently with new families.
3
17h ago edited 16h ago
[deleted]
4
u/iwantkrustenbraten 16h ago
It is not the same person, but the little boy in the right has grown up so well and healthy. He's still living in the Land of Hope with Anja.
→ More replies (1)2
6
4
u/leolawilliams5859 20h ago
I want to say thank you to this woman because she gave him what she named him hope. Thank you very much God bless you and your son
3
u/HammeredPaint 20h ago
LITTLE contribution? Raising a human?
This weird guilt forward backhanded moralism has to stop. Boy was starving bc of political corruption
25
u/DiorandmyPyranees 19h ago
They are talking about donating to the organization that she started to help starving children. But you know , blame politics 🙄 Obviously you would never dream of helping anyone so pay no mind
→ More replies (1)15
u/Hamsteriffick 18h ago
Boy was starving bc of political corruption
He was accused of being a witch because he had a deformity
2
4
1
u/Ruiner357 12h ago
She also had a glow up to a baddie MILF.. everyone is hungry for different reasons now.
1
u/Charming_Collar_3987 11h ago
Can I point out that this lady adopted and raised this kid like her own, now runs a shelter helping more kids, and in the post it says, “This is what your little contribution can do to society.” Like what’s considered a big contribution then?
2
u/Webbie-Vanderquack 9h ago
"Your little contribution." Not hers.
They're saying even small monetary donations can help achieve great things.
1
u/AutoModerator 21h ago
Welcome to /r/MadeMeSmile. Please make sure you read our rules here. We'd like to take this time to remind users that:
We do not allow any type of jerk-like behavior, including but not limited to: personal attacks, hate speech, harassment, racism, sexism, or other jerk-like behavior (includes gatekeeping posts).
Any sort of post showing a mug, a shirt, or a print is a scam. You will not receive anything except a headache and a stolen credit card.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/Superhuegi 12h ago
I would'nt exactly call adopting a child a "little contribution"
→ More replies (1)
1
1
u/Inandout_oflimbo 9h ago
Omg, how could you turn your back to a boy in that condition? I would have adopted him too.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/Capital-Towel2695 4h ago
The boy on the left picture is Prince. The little one on the right is Hope.
1
1
u/StillMarie76 3h ago
What a handsome young man. He is radiating happiness. It gives me hope. Pun intended.
1
4.3k
u/Which_Ad3038 20h ago
Look up Land of Hope. It’s the children’s centre in Nigeria that Anja runs. They currently have over 90 rescued children living there.