Bringing Joy to a Ghanaian Hospital
The pediatric oncology ward at Korle Bu University Hospital in Accra, Ghana’s capital, is typically marked by quiet corridors, labored breathing, and parents clinging to hope. However, the atmosphere shifted briefly with the arrival of a man known as the “Brazilian Superman.”
Leonardo Muylaert, a 2.03-meter-tall man dressed in the iconic blue, yellow, and red Superman costume from the 1980s films, concluded a week of visits in Ghana on Friday. This was his first trip to Africa.
For several hours, shouts of joy replaced the gloom in this hospital ward. Children connected to IV drips sat up for the first time in days, while others, too weak to stand, managed faint smiles.
- Children grasped the hands of the “Brazilian Superman,”
- Parents hurried to take selfies,
- Medical staff filled the hallways, many with phones to capture the moment.
“He went from bed to bed, paying attention to each child,” a nurse recounted. “In some cases, it’s the first time we’ve seen them smile in weeks,” she added.
For Regina Awuku, 35, whose five-year-old son battles leukemia, the moment was a miracle. “My son was so happy to see Superman. This means a lot to us,” she confided to AFP.
Planting a Seed
Leonardo Muylaert, an attorney by profession, deliberately chose Ghana for his birthday celebration. “I feel close to the culture, legacy, and joy of this country,” he stated.
His fame skyrocketed after CCXP 2022, a major pop culture festival, when a video of writer Mark Waid went viral, astonished by his resemblance to Clark Kent.
Leonardo Muylaert, known as the Brazilian Superman, poses for a photograph in Accra.
Muylaert then ordered a costume and turned his sudden fame into a commitment to visit vulnerable groups from Ecuador to Australia.
Spreading Joy in Accra
In Accra, after the hospital, he visited a prosthetics workshop on the outskirts where several amputee children cheered “Superman!” when he joined their soccer game.
For Akua Sarpong, founder of the NGO Lifeline for Childhood Cancer Ghana, the effect was immediate. “The day was filled with joy,” she affirmed.
Muylaert said this visit reinforced his belief in the power of small gestures.
“Everyone can be a hero…You don’t need a cape. Happiness attracts. A smile on their faces changes the world,” he told AFP.
“We’ve planted a seed…the idea is to spread happiness everywhere. We may not change the whole world, but if we inspire one person, they will inspire another,” this compassionate Superman said before returning to Brazil.
Leonardo Muylaert, known as the Brazilian Superman, takes a selfie with patients and their families.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Leonardo Muylaert? A Brazilian attorney who gained sudden fame after resembling Clark Kent, now uses his newfound platform to visit and bring joy to vulnerable groups.
- Why did he visit Ghana? To celebrate his birthday and spread happiness, feeling a connection to Ghana’s culture and joy.
- What impact did his visit have? He brought joy to a Ghanaian hospital’s pediatric oncology ward, inspiring children and their families with his Superman persona.
- What other activities did he undertake in Ghana? He visited a prosthetics workshop and interacted with amputee children, spreading happiness through his presence.
