Interesting reason behind gospel artiste David Wonder’s free hugs in Nairobi CBD
Gospel musician David Junior Odera widely known by his stage name David Wonder, on Monday, May 27, 2024, took a bold step as a celebrity to offer free hugs to random strangers.
Through his official social media account, David Wonder shared photos and videos of him dressed in a slim white suit with a pink woollen Marvin covering his entire head and face carrying placards with writings that read; Are you okay? Do you need a hug? – in the middle of Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).
“Leo nimeamua kuenda kujiaibisha( today I have decided to embarrass myself) but it’s a career that I choose tunaenda kufanya (we are going to do) what we call social experiment na director anchor,” he said.
Before embarking on the free hugs mission, the talented musician disclosed that he was on a social experiment with his producer adding that so many people are not mentally okay judging from the reaction he got after releasing his latest song dubbed ‘Broken’.
“Huku nje watu wanaumia so niko kwa streets tuone nani anata hug na nani atanipea hug (I am in the CBD today to see who needs a hug because people in these streets are not mentally okay),
“Doing all this because of the reaction I got after releasing my new song BROKEN,” he revealed.
End of social experiment
After Wonder was done for the day, he revealed that 13 people admitted that they were not okay adding that covering his face gave him courage.
“13 people in total admitted that they were not okay and I gave them a big hug. Nimegundua kitu moja leo, mimi hukuwa mwoga ka si hi mask sijui ingekuwa aje no face no case juu nilivaa nikafeel invisible,” he said.
Mental health awareness
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a vital period for highlighting mental health issues and combating associated stigmas. And this year’s mental health theme is ‘Movement Moving more for our mental health’.
