The Transformative Journey of Jane Mwale

The Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Assisi (SFMA) have long been at the forefront of outreach efforts, offering healthcare, nutritional support, and physical rehabilitation to underserved communities. Their work is deeply rooted in collaboration among the sisters, healthcare professionals, and local communities. The story of seven-year-old Jane Mwale is a shining example of what can be achieved when such synergies come to life.

A Difficult Start

Jane Mwale was born on April 5, 2018, in Lumezi, Eastern Province. Her mother, just 16 years old at the time, received little to no prenatal care. Multivitamins and other medications prescribed during her pregnancy were discarded, and Jane was born seemingly healthy, but that changed as she began to grow.

When Jane started walking, her legs felt unusually heavy. She couldn’t stand upright and would walk bent forward, clutching her knees. Eventually, her legs became visibly deformed, raising concerns and confusion in her community.

A Timely Intervention

In January 2025, the sisters from the Mother Angela Community, working alongside the nutritionist from Chililabombwe District Hospital, discovered Jane during one of their outreach programs aimed at supporting malnourished children. These outreach programs involve collaboration between local hospitals, clinics, and community members to identify children in need and provide them with nutritional and medical support.

When the sisters met Jane, some members of her family believed she had been bewitched; a common misconception surrounding unexplained health conditions in communities here in Zambia. But the sisters, guided by both faith and medical understanding, suspected a physical condition and knew where to turn for help.

A Door Opens at St. John Paul II Hospital

The sisters quickly contacted their fellow SFMA Sisters at the Zambia-Italian Orthopaedic Hospital, also known as St. John Paul II Orthopaedic Mission Hospital in Lusaka. An orthopedic surgeon was consulted, and Jane was booked for a consultation the following week.

For over 27 years, St. John Paul II Hospital has stood as a beacon of hope for underprivileged families in Zambia. With a mission rooted in Christ’s love, the hospital provides life-changing orthopaedic surgeries to children, completely free of charge.

Jane was diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta, a congenital condition that weakens bones. Before this referral, Jane’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mwale, had nearly given up hope that she would ever walk upright.

A Life Changed

Jane underwent her first surgery on one leg, with plans for the second operation just two weeks later. After six weeks of recovery, she could sit upright with both legs straightened and a joyful smile on her face. Supporting her recovery were KAFOs (Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthoses), specially made by the hospital’s Prosthetics and Orthotics Department and provided at no cost.

The transformation was not just physical. Jane can now look forward to going to school, playing with friends, and living a life full of possibility. She’s no longer defined by stigma or limited by disability.

Gratitude and Grace

Jane’s family is overflowing with gratitude to God who made this miracle possible, the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Assisi, the dedicated doctors and staff at St. John Paul II Hospital, and all the collaborating partners whose combined efforts made this miracle possible.

Jane’s story is more than just a tale of medical success—it is a testament to the power of unity, compassion, and the Franciscan Missionary Sisters’ unwavering commitment to serving the most vulnerable with dignity and love.