By Mette Thomsen | Project Leader
Dear donor,
We hope the start of 2026 is treating you well.
Hope's 10-year journey
At the end of January, we celebrated a beautiful milestone: 10 years since we rescued Hope. Through it all, your steadfast support has shaped his future. Hope and Anja's son have grown up like brothers, their bond unbreakable and filled with love. Now, Hope is ready for his next chapter. We found the perfect secondary school for him, a boarding school dedicated entirely to children with disabilities, such as deaf, mute, and blind. They offer specialized education tailored to each student’s needs. Hope visited in November and couldn’t be more excited. Your continued support can help him thrive in this new environment.
From locked room to university dreams
Thirteen years ago, we rescued Saviour. He was just a boy, traumatized and broken, locked in a room for weeks by a stepfather who accused him of witchcraft and beat him daily. Fast forward to 2023, when Saviour became Science and Mathematics Ambassador for his outstanding school performance. In 2024, he graduated as one of the top students. And now, Saviour has gained admission to university to study Medical Laboratory Science. As he left Land of Hope, he sent Anja a message:
"Lovely mummy, I'm so grateful for everything you've done for me. Your support and sacrifices have given me a future of hopes and dreams. I'm also thankful to Land of Hope's supporters." Every word is true. These children are where they are today because of you.
Ekemini's courage and triumph
From being raped at 12, accused of witchcraft, and giving birth at 13, to now gaining admission to The International Class for Culinary Arts. Ekemini's story is one of extraordinary resilience. We rescued her 10 years ago when she was eight months pregnant. Despite the trauma and the responsibility of early motherhood, she never complained. Instead, she devoted herself to raising her son, Abasiofon, while pursuing her education. Last year, she graduated secondary school. This year, she left Land of Hope for the first time to begin her higher education. Though it was difficult for her to leave her son, she knows he is strong, intelligent, and well cared for. Ekemini deserves this chance to experience life and chase her dreams. We are so proud of her. Go conquer the world!
Violent attack on our team
On February 18, Anja and our team were held hostage and threatened during a brutal attack. While on a home visit, we were suddenly surrounded by more than 100 villagers who dragged two staff members, security guards, and one child from our bus and nearly beat them to death. This matter has been formally reported and is currently under active investigation by the Nigerian Police Force, with prosecution anticipated. Due to the ongoing legal process, we cannot share further details at this time. We are deeply shaken but remain committed to our mission.
Forever grateful,
Your team at Land of Hope
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