On October 31st 2015, Kenyan author Binyavanga Wainaina suffered a stroke at his home in Nairobi. He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at Karen Hospital. His speech was affected, and he needed scans and round the-clock observation. The doctors recommended medicinal treatment and specialized speech therapy. Binyavanga was discharged on Friday 6th November.
However, on Friday 13th November, he developed some physical difficulties arising from the stroke. Following a scheduled appointment with a neurosurgeon, he was admitted to Nairobi Hospital for further observation. Following this, it was recommended that he be flown to Bangalore in India where further tests will be conducted with the possibility of surgery.
Binyavanga won the Caine Prize in July 2002 for his short story “Discovering Home”. He is the founding editor of Kwani?, the first literary magazine in East Africa. He published his first novel, One Day I Will Write About This Place, in 2011. Kwani Trust has set up a fundraiser to raise resources for his urgent medical treatment, which has raised 522,601 Kenya Shillings (USD 5,123) so far.
Responding to this appeal, Nigerians are creating awareness and raising funds for Binyavanga on Twitter using the hashtag #Naija4Binyavanga. Here are some of the tweets.
A fundraising event will be held in Binyavanga’s honor on Saturday at Freedom Park
Fundraiser for Binyavanga Wainaina https://t.co/JWAaenVp8P pic.twitter.com/qjT1wnBpNa https://t.co/HaoycE6Kni
— Farafina Books (@farafinabooks) November 26, 2015
Some items that will be sold for the fundraiser
Limited edition of this special #Naija4Binyavanga poster available at Freedom Park: 12pm on Sat 28 November 2015. pic.twitter.com/PVX5lvPqVW
— Lọlá Shónẹ́yìn (@lolashoneyin) November 26, 2015
Books you can pick up: 12-6pm, 28/11/15 at Freedom Park, Lagos #Naija4Binyavanga 20% of proceeds for BW's Med fund. pic.twitter.com/C8UIw8dkdS
— AkeArts&BookFestival (@akefestival) November 26, 2015
Books you can buy: 12-6pm, 28/11/15 at Freedom Park, Lagos #Naija4Binyavanga 20% of proceeds for BW's Med fund. pic.twitter.com/bczLRAUR9a
— AkeArts&BookFestival (@akefestival) November 26, 2015
Only 100 printed copies of this poster will be available at #Naija4Binyavanga at Freedom Park, on Saturday… https://t.co/ji6luog0Nd
— AkeArts&BookFestival (@akefestival) November 26, 2015
Binyavanga is a beloved writer.
— Dwin, The Stoic (@DwinTheStoic) November 26, 2015
Just gave to #Naija4Binyavanga. Writing doesn't make many rich, but enriches many lives & needing cash for medical care is real as hell.
— Lisa Lucas (@likaluca) November 26, 2015
@akefestival #Naija4Binyavanga I will be at Freedom Park on Nov 28, 12-6 pm, helping with this worthy cause. pic.twitter.com/M0IldmWRdx
— Chiagozie Fred Nwonwu (@mazinwonwu) November 26, 2015
https://twitter.com/bisialimi/status/669883187351429121
https://twitter.com/SinoxoloMusangi/status/669852861027786752
https://twitter.com/blaqiechan_/status/669870947705462785
The fundraiser will be streamed live.
Watch live-stream of #Naija4Binyavanga event at Freedom Park. 28/11 from 12pm-6pm. Check Ticker tape for your tweets of ❤️ & support for BW.
— AkeArts&BookFestival (@akefestival) November 26, 2015
As at 2pm (WAT), NGN50,000 had been raised.
🇳🇬#Naija4Binyavanga Update. We have now raised N50,000. Please keep those donations coming. Nothing is too small. Thank you!
— AkeArts&BookFestival (@akefestival) November 26, 2015
For additional payment options please visit bit.ly/binyamedicalfund.
