When a graduate student from Africa came to the United States to study theater at SIUC, his view of American culture had already been formed by the dog-eat-dog picture much of the media paints.

Wednesday, Joe Chimwenje boarded a plane to Malawi, traveling home to the funeral of his 10-month-old daughter. One of Chimwenje’s professors says when his student returns to SIUC, Chimwenje’s views will have changed because members of the campus community made his trip home possible.

Chimwenje learned earlier this week that his daughter, who was born after he left Malawi for SIUC, died from an allergic reaction to a fever shot. But he could not afford the more than $3,000 plane ticket to get home.

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The SIUC financial aid office granted Chimwenje a short-term loan to help pay for the ticket. And after Chimwenje’s story broke throughout local media, several members of the campus and city community have donated money to help the student begin paying off the loan, a theater department official said.

Donations have been flowing in all day from people saying, I read about him (Chimwenje) in the Daily Egyptian,’ or, I saw him on TV and wanted to help out,’ Alex Chrestopoulos, a professor in theater said. His attitude towards American culture has really changed. It has been really uplifting.

Chrestopolous said several parties have written checks ranging from $50 to $100. He said even though Chimwenje was on his way home Wednesday, donations are still being sought.

He is getting on the plane today (Wednesday) at 2:15 p.m., but the donations are still helpful, Chrestopoulos said. Since the funding for his trip came from a loan, that loan still has to be paid back. And he will need money for that.

Anyone wishing to make a donation should contact the SIUC theater department’s business manager at 453-5741.