Danish aid worker Anja Loven marks 7 years since the rescue of 13-year-old pregnant girl branded a witch in Akwa Ibom

Danish aid worker, Anja Ringgren Loven on Thursday, June 22, marked seven years since she rescued a 13-year-old pregnant girl who was branded a witch and abandoned in Eket, Akwa Ibom State.

Recall that Ekemini, now 20, was rescued by Ms Loven, her husband, David Emmanuel Umen and their team on May 2016, a month before she gave birth via caesarean section. Read her story Here Here and Here

Sharing photos of the young mother and her son, Ms Love said Ekemini will be graduating from secondary school in two years.

“Exactly 7 years ago today David Emmanuel Umem and I with our team rescued Ekemini. She was accused of being a witch. She was 13 years old and pregnant. We rescued Ekemini only a month before she gave birth. Because of her young age she had to have a caesarean,” she wrote.

Teenage pregnancy is a major health issue in Africa and many young girls die during delivery. A study done in Nigeria shows that 33% of maternal mortality attributes to teenage pregnancy.

Ekemini was very lucky we rescued her in time. But despite her situation, she was so strong.

Till this day, I have NEVER heard Ekemini complain. An hour after giving birth, she was ready to stand up and leave the hospital.

Being a teenage mom comes with a lot of challenges so it was very important for us to basically teach Ekemini how to be a mother. She was a child herself so our priority was for her to develop a healthy and strong bond with her baby.

Ekemini was and still is today one of the most inspiring young women I have ever met! Despite being a teenage mom she was so determined to go back to school.

It was very important for us to teach Ekemini how to navigate being a young mother and take care of her studies at the same time.

But just look at Abasiofon today! He is the cutest, wisest and most handsome boy you will ever meet ! Ekemini raised him with so much love and care and in 2 years we will celebrate Ekemini when she graduates from secondary school

Thank you all for supporting Land of Hope. You are not only saving lives. You are giving our children a brighter future.

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