She raised her son with so much love
Danish aid worker, Anja Ringgren Loven commemorated seven years since rescuing a 13-year-old pregnant girl who was branded a witch and abandoned in Eket, Akwa Ibom State on Thursday, June 22. Ekemini, now 20, was rescued by Ms. Loven, her husband, David Emmanuel Umem, and their team in May 2016, a month before she gave birth via caesarean section. Read her story Here Here and Here
Ms. Loven shared photos of the young mother and her son and mentioned that Ekemini would 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 fortunate to be rescued in time. Despite her situation, she remained strong.
Up to 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 numerous challenges, so it was crucial for us to 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 determined to return to school.
It was very important for us to guide Ekemini on 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.
