Philadelphia’s Malawian Community’s Heart-warming Support for Young Boy’s Medical Journey Ends with Safe Return – Capital Radio Malawi
13 February, 2025

Philadelphia’s Malawian Community’s Heart-warming Support for Young Boy’s Medical Journey Ends with Safe Return

Pius (on a wheelchair being welcomed home)

A heartwarming scene unfolded at Chileka Airport this week as 10-year-old Pius Chiwale, who had spent the past four months undergoing critical medical treatment in Philadelphia, returned to Malawi.

In April, Pius, a Standard 3 student at Jacaranda School for Orphans, was flown to Shriners Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia for urgent surgery to treat his severe kyphoscoliosis.

His condition required specialized treatment that was not available in Malawi. Luc Deschamps, director of Jacaranda School, travelled with Pius and his mother to support them through the complex medical process.

Accompanied by his mother, Fainess Chiwale, and greeted by a wave of community support, Pius arrived in a wheelchair, marking the end of a life-changing journey made possible by an outpouring of solidarity from the Malawian diaspora.

The story took a remarkable turn when Marie Da Silva, founder of Jacaranda School, appealed to the Malawian community in Philadelphia for support.

The response was both swift and substantial.

Key figures such as Isabel Napho Liabunya, Brenda Chiphanika Mwaya, Khama Mjuweni, and Pastor Vernon Nyanguļu, among others, rallied around the Chiwale family. They provided consistent support, including traditional meals like nsima, and visited Pius regularly throughout his three surgeries.

Pius being ushered by Marie out of the airport.

The community’s dedication did not go unnoticed. Over 30 Malawians in Philadelphia engaged with the family, offering both emotional and practical support, and ensured they felt connected and cared for during their time abroad.

The moment of return on August 11, 2024, was a poignant reminder of the impact of global diasporic solidarity.

Pius, who was visibly moved by the warm reception, was wheeled through the airport to a heartfelt welcome from family and friends in Malawi.

The sight of Pius’s arrival, marked by his wheelchair and the supportive crowd, was a testament to the combined efforts and love from the Malawian community in Philadelphia and back home.

Marie Da Silva reflected on the journey, stating, “Seeing Pius return home safely and the overwhelming support he received from both the Philadelphia diaspora and his home community has been incredibly moving. It reinforces the strength of our global Malawian family and our capacity to support each other through challenging times.”

As Pius settles back into life in Malawi and prepares to return to Jacaranda School, the community celebrates not just his recovery but the enduring connections forged across continents.

The story of Pius Chiwale’s journey from Philadelphia to Malawi serves as a powerful reminder of the profound impact of unity and compassion.

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