How social media mobilized $30,000 for Buuza's surgery

Aug 13, 2016

The surgery and related expenses will cost $100,000

Social media, a means of real time interaction through video, audio and chatting on the internet has made communication so much easier over time.

With major platforms like Facebook, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Instagram and Twitter all buzzing with activity 24/7, people's private lives have literary become public sharing everything from what they are having for lunch, how boring a lecture or work place is to milestones like weddings and child birth.

While sometimes people can go to negative extremes and indulge in spreading nudes, x-rated videos and mudslinging using social media, those chasing lifesaving causes use the same platform to save the lives of those in danger.

A case in point is Kacie Imran Buza a 5-year-old pupil of Daffodils Kindergarten who was diagnosed with an acute version of Sickle Cell Anaemia. His doctors said he needed urgent surgery in the form of a bone marrow transplant to save his life.

Having suffered 4 strokes in the space of just over a year leaving his limbs weakened, speech ability gone, making him unable to feed normally and a couple of other complications besides a 300% increased risk of suffering another life threatening stroke soon, the surgery is a matter of urgency.

The surgery and related expenses according to Kacie's father, Hakeem Buza, will cost $100,000 (about sh350m) which they cannot afford. But they did not give up just like that without trying.

Hakeem and Kacie's mother, Lynn Najjemba, decided to start a massive social media fundraising campaign which has spread to all major social networks to try raise the money for their son's surgery in the USA as soon as possible.

As a result of their efforts, friends, family and well-wishers who have helped spread the word across the various platforms; $30,000 (about sh100m) has so far been raised for Kacie's surgery.

Hakeem says it started simply when they posted basic details of Kacie, his situation and shared with friends.

Those who were touched contributed and continued sharing with other friends, in various social media groups, pages and soon the response started coming in.

A Go Fund Me account was also set up where mainly those outside Uganda can contribute. And within a space of two and a half months sh100m has been raised!

While a lot has been achieved so far through online mobilization, there is still a whole funding gap of $70,000, (about sh250m).

Fundraising continues online under the hashtag #SaveKacie on Facebook and Twitter.

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