&ldquo;Our Africa by Merck Foundation&rdquo; is a unique TV program to address critical Social and Health issues in Africa through African Fashion and Art with Purpose community. The objective of the show is to create a culture shift by sensitizing our African communities about a wide range of social and health challenges and topics such as: Diabetes prevention and early detection, promoting a healthy lifestyle, Ending Child Marriage, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Stopping GBV, Ending FGM and Breaking Infertility Stigma, Sustainability, Raising awareness about coronavirus among other social and health issues affecting our continent.

This pan-African show is&nbsp;conceptualized, produced, directed, and hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation&nbsp;to feature Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent guests from various domains with the aim to raise awareness and create a culture shift across Africa.

Our Africa by Merck Foundation TV Program has been broadcasted on,

Mashariki TV, Burundi; BTV, Botswana; GhOne, Ghana; TV3, Ghana; QTV, The Gambia; KTN, Kenya; LNTV, Liberia; Mibawa TV, Malawi; Deffe Media, Mauritius; NBC, Namibia; AYV, Sierra Leone; NTV, Uganda; ZNBC, Zambia

'Our Africa by Merck Foundation' TV Program | S1 EP6: Stop FGM

Promo of ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation ' TV program, Directed & Produced by Merck Foundation CEO Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej

“Our Africa by Merck Foundation” is a unique TV program to address critical Social and Health issues in Africa through African Fashion and Art with Purpose community. The objective of the show is to create a culture shift by sensitizing our African communities about a wide range of social and health challenges and topics such as: Diabetes prevention and early detection, promoting a healthy lifestyle, Ending Child Marriage, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Stopping GBV, Ending FGM and Breaking Infertility Stigma, Sustainability, Raising awareness about coronavirus among other social and health issues affecting our continent.

This pan-African show is&nbsp;conceptualized, produced, directed, and hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation&nbsp;to feature Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent guests from various domains with the aim to raise awareness and create a culture shift across Africa.

Our Africa by Merck Foundation TV Program has been broadcasted on,

Mashariki TV, Burundi; BTV, Botswana; GhOne, Ghana; TV3, Ghana; QTV, The Gambia; KTN, Kenya; LNTV, Liberia; Mibawa TV, Malawi; Deffe Media, Mauritius; NBC, Namibia; AYV, Sierra Leone; NTV, Uganda; ZNBC, Zambia

'Our Africa by Merck Foundation' TV Program | S1 EP1: Diabetes Awareness.

'Our Africa by Merck Foundation' TV Program | S1 EP2: Ending Child Marriage &amp; Supporting Girl Education

<h2 class="section-title pr-0" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;border-left:2px solid rgb(75, 78, 83);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(75, 78, 83);font-family:times-new-roman;font-size:26px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:300;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:36px;margin:0px;orphans:2;padding:0px 25px !important;position:relative;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">Merck Foundation Presents Our Africa by Merck Foundation (TV Program)</h2>

2026

2025

2024

<h2 class="section-title pr-0" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;border-left:2px solid rgb(75, 78, 83);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(75, 78, 83);font-family:times-new-roman;font-size:26px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:300;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:36px;margin:0px;orphans:2;padding:0px 20px !important;position:relative;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">Photo Gallery</h2>

<img alt="" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/media/CKfinder/2026/09/Main_Image_Dr_Rasha_Kelej_during_her_visit_to_Ugan_1788917379_556945ba.jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;"> 
Dr. Rasha Kelej during her visit in Uganda

As part of her virtual Mentorship and Leadership Platform, “Beyond Power; Leadership, Global Influence and Impact,” Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, has published a new leadership article titled “Leadership Beyond the Obvious: How I Worked to Transform Fertility Care and Break Infertility Stigma.” Through the article, Dr. Kelej reflects on her leadership journey in creating and driving the “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” movement, and how she looked beyond the immediate challenges in fertility care to address the deeper social, cultural, and communication barriers surrounding infertility. She shares how this approach helped create a broader culture shift alongside strengthening access to fertility care and building healthcare capacity.

To read the full article and access the platform, visit: 
<a href="https://rashakelej.substack.com/p/leadership-beyond-the-obvious-how" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline">https://rashakelej.substack.com/p/leadership-beyond-the-obvious-how</a>

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.) shares, “Lasting change rarely comes from solving only the problem you can see. A leader must identify—and then work on—the many layers surrounding it. 

<img alt="" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/media/CKfinder/2026/09/Dr_Rasha_Kelej_with_infertile_women_in_The_Gambia_1788917400_5dc0b84a.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;"> 
Dr. Rasha Kelej during her visit in Gambia

This is one of the most important leadership lessons I learned through creating the “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” movement.

For me, leadership meant looking at the problem from every direction. If there were no trained specialists, we had to build medical capacity. If stigma prevented women and couples from seeking care, we had to change perceptions. If misinformation was being reinforced through public narratives, we had to engage and train the media. If deeply rooted cultural or religious beliefs created resistance, we had to enter those conversations respectfully. And if conventional health communication could not reach everyone, we had to engage artists and creative communities to help carry the message.”

Dr. Kelej personally visited communities across Africa, including rural areas, where she witnessed first-hand how infertility could become a devastating source of social stigma, particularly for women who were too often blamed, discriminated against or isolated for a condition that may have had nothing to do with them. She also encountered cultural and religious resistance to fertility treatment in some communities.

These experiences reinforced her understanding that transforming fertility care and breaking infertility stigma required working across multiple layers at the same time.

<img alt="" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/media/CKfinder/2026/09/Dr_Rasha_Kelej_during_her_visit_to_Uganda_1788917415_2832fa20.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;"> 

Dr Kelej shared, “We built medical capacity, providing more than 800 scholarships to healthcare providers from 42 countries as part of our “More Than a Mother” movement, including supporting the training of the first local fertility specialists and embryologists in many countries where such specialized local expertise had previously been unavailable.”

“But I knew that training doctors alone would never be enough. We partnered with Africa’s First Ladies as Ambassadors of “More Than a Mother” to help influence communities and create a much-needed culture shift. We engaged Ministries, healthcare professionals, religious and community leaders. Together with local media societies, we trained journalists and media professionals to communicate about infertility accurately, sensitively and responsibly.” She further added.

<img alt="" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/media/CKfinder/2026/09/Senator_Dr_Rasha_Kelej_during_her_visit_to_Uganda__1788917653_3085ee16.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 399px;">

In the article, Dr. Kelej emphasizes that the “More Than a Mother” movement was much more than a medical training program. Under her leadership, it focused on building an ecosystem that strengthened local medical expertise while simultaneously creating the social understanding and acceptance needed for women and couples to seek and benefit from fertility care.

<img alt="" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/media/CKfinder/2026/09/Senator_Dr_Rasha_Kelej_during_her_visit_to_Uganda__1788917673_4e5b0903.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 399px;">

The article is available through Dr. Rasha Kelej's Mentorship and Leadership Platform, "Beyond Power; Leadership, Global Influence and Impact," through Substack, that has been launched to create an accessible resource designed to inspire, guide, and support future leaders, particularly women and young future leaders in Africa, Asia and Global South Countries. The platform is accessible to all, ensuring that aspiring leaders from diverse backgrounds can access valuable mentorship, leadership insights, and practical guidance.

<img alt="" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/media/CKfinder/2026/09/Senator_Dr_Rasha_Kelej_with_a_group_of_infertile_w_1788917691_b4d29bbd.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 399px;"> 
Dr. Rasha Kelej during her visit in CAR

Link to Dr. Rasha Kelej’s Mentorship and Leadership Platform: <a href="https://open.substack.com/pub/rashakelej" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline">https://open.substack.com/pub/rashakelej</a>

The articles can be freely accessed on Dr. Rasha Kelej’s website: <a href="https://rasha-kelej.com/" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline">https://rasha-kelej.com/</a>

The links of the articles can also be accessed on Merck Foundation Website: <a href="https://merck-foundation.com/" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline">https://merck-foundation.com/</a>

The links can also be accessed on the Social Media channels of Dr. Rasha Kelej and Merck Foundation. 

Through her Mentorship and Leadership Platform, Dr. Rasha Kelej is committed to sharing her 32 years of knowledge and experience to support and guide aspiring individuals in unlocking their hidden potential, achieving their professional and personal goals, and becoming the leaders of tomorrow.

&nbsp;

In the article, Dr. Kelej emphasizes that the “More Than a Mother” movement was much more than a medical training program. Under her leadership, it focused on building an ecosystem that strengthened local medical expertise while simultaneously creating the social understanding and acceptance needed for women and couples to seek and benefit from fertility care.

Dr. Rasha Kelej Shares Leadership Lessons from Creating Merck Foundation’s “More Than a Mother” Campaign and Looking Beyond the Obvious to Drive Lasting Change, as Part of her Mentorship and Leadership Platform

Merck Foundation CEO and 12 African and Asian First Ladies share their partnership journey in Transforming Patient Care Landscape, Supporting Girl Education and Breaking Infertility Stigma

Link to Dr. Rasha Kelej’s Mentorship and Leadership Platform:

Inspiring Tomorrow's Leaders: Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej Launches her First Virtual Mentorship and Leadership Platform

Merck Foundation CEO announced call for application of 2026  - Apply Now

Merck Foundation CEO celebrates 124 Winners from 32 Countries for their Media Awards for Breaking infertility Stigma and Supporting Girl Education

Merck Foundation together with Ghana First Lady has also provided 257 scholarships for Ghanian healthcare providers

Merck Foundation in partnership with Ghana First Lady and Lordina Foundation launch their “Educating Linda” Program to support Girl Education

Merck Foundation declared Kenya First Lady as the Ambassador of “More than a Mother”

Merck Foundation and Kenya First Lady mark a Landmark Moment for Supporting Girl Education with their "Educating Linda" Program at Kenya State House

We have provided 328 scholarships for young Kenyan healthcare providers in 44 critical and underserved specialties

Merck Foundation and Kenya First Lady and Minister of Health Underscore Long-term Partnership to Build Healthcare and Media Capacity and extend more Medical Scholarships to Local Doctors Nationwide

Merck Foundation announced the Call for Applications for the 2026 - apply now

Merck Foundation announced Winners of their Fashion, Song and Film Awards 2025 for Driving Awareness on Social and Health Issues – 51 Winners from 15 Countries Announced in partnership with the First Ladies of Africa

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/main-dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026 (4).jpeg" style="width: 500px; height: 662px;">

Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of <a href="http://www.merck-foundation.com/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">Merck Foundation</a>, has been recognized among the “100 Most Impactful Voices 2026” by ABCD Africa, a prestigious recognition celebrating influential women of African descent who are using their platforms to inspire change, amplify important social conversations, and drive meaningful impact across communities. The list features prominent women leaders and changemakers from 54 African countries and also includes the President of Tanzania. The list came out on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2026.

This latest recognition adds to a series of international accolades received by Dr. Rasha Kelej for her leadership and impactful social initiatives. She was recently named among the “100 Most Influential Africans 2025” by New African Magazine and has also been recognized among the “100 Most Influential African Women” by Avance Media for the seventh consecutive year, alongside Africa’s prominent leaders including Presidents, First Ladies, and Prime Ministers. These recognitions highlight her unwavering commitment to women’s empowerment, girls’ education, and improving access to quality and equitable healthcare across Africa. 

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026 (1).jpeg" style="width: 500px; height: 662px;">

Expressing her gratitude, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), CEO of Merck Foundation said, “I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition and to be included in the ‘100 Most Impactful Voices 2026’ list. I sincerely thank ABCD Africa for acknowledging my work over the past 14 years to build healthcare capacity, transform the patient care landscape, break infertility stigma, empower women, and support girl education in Africa and beyond. This recognition is truly very special to me, and it inspires me to continue my efforts to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people.

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Senator Dr Rasha Kelej with African schoolgirl.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;">

I also congratulate all the deserving women who have been recognized on this list. Together, we will continue to use our voices to inspire positive change and create a better future for our communities.”

Under Dr. Kelej’s leadership, Merck Foundation has transformed the patient care landscape and built healthcare capacity across Africa and other developing regions. 

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026 (3).jpeg" style="width: 500px; height: 662px;">

“We have provided over 2500 scholarships for healthcare providers from more than 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties, helping to improve access to quality and equitable healthcare,” shared Dr. Kelej. 

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Senator Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation with Oncology Alumni(3).jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 399px;">

Dr. Rasha Kelej is also the creator of the “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” campaign, a pioneering movement&nbsp;that aims to empower infertile and childless women through access to information, education, health and change of mindset. Dr. Kelej works closely with more than 33 African and Asian First Ladies who are the Ambassadors of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” to lead Merck Foundation programs in their countries. “I really enjoy working with dear sisters, the First Ladies of Africa and Asia, we are not just partners, we are more than friends, I enjoy our sisterhood and respect it,” Dr. Kelej emphasized. 

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Main_ Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO with the First Ladies of Africa and Asia during the MFFLI SUMMIT 2025(6).jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;">

Moreover, Dr. Kelej is a strong advocate for education as one of the most critical areas of women’s empowerment. Therefore, in partnership with African First Ladies, Merck Foundation has provided, year to date, more than 1200 annual scholarships to high-performing and underprivileged African schoolgirls from 19 countries, enabling them to complete their studies and reach their potential. The program is actively running across several African countries, including Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, Zimbabwe and others.

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026 (5).jpeg" style="width: 500px; height: 662px;">

Dr. Rasha Kelej has established the “Art and Fashion with Purpose” community to address critical health and social issues, including breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education, ending female genital mutilation and child marriage, stopping gender-based violence, and raising awareness about diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. She has launched several community awareness programs including Health Media Trainings, Songs, Children Storybooks, Animation Films, Awards for best Media, Song, Film and Fashion design, and also a Pan-African TV program “Our Africa”.

<img height="662" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026 (6).jpeg" width="500">

Overview of Merck Foundation’s initiatives and impact under the leadership of Dr. Rasha Kelej:

Merck Foundation is transforming the Patient care landscape and making history together with their partners in Africa, Asia, and beyond, through:

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">2500+ Scholarships provided by Merck Foundation for healthcare providers from 52 Countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties. </li>
</ul>

<img height="662" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026 (2).jpeg" width="500">

Merck Foundation is also creating a culture shift and breaking the silence about a wide range of social and health issues in Africa and underserved communities through:

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">4000+ Media Representatives from more than 42 countries trained by Merck Foundation to better raise awareness about different social and health issues</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">8 Different Awards launched annually for best Media coverage, Song, Films, and Fashion. </li>
	<li style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">Around 30 songs to address health and social issues, by local singers across Africa in English, French, Portuguese, and local languages. </li>
	<li style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">9 Children’s Storybooks in four languages - English, French, Portuguese, and Swahili</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">6 Awareness Animation Films in five languages - English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili to raise awareness about breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education and prevention and early detection of Diabetes, Hypertension &amp; Cancer.</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">Pan African TV Program "Our Africa by Merck Foundation” addressing Social and Health Issues in Africa through “Fashion and ART with Purpose” Community.</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">1200+ Scholarships provided annually to high performing but under-privileged African schoolgirls from 19 countries, to help them to complete their studies and empower them to reach their full potential.</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">15 Social Media Channels with more than 8.5 Million Followers.</li>
</ul>

&nbsp;

To learn more about Dr. Rasha Kelej’s journey, leadership, and initiatives across Africa &amp; beyond, 
follow her on social media.

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/KelejRasha/" target="_blank" title="Facebook"><img alt="fb" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/facebook_5968764(1).png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"></a>&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Rashakelej" target="_blank" title="Twitter"><img alt="tw" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/X-Logo-Round-Color.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"></a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/rasha_kelej/" target="_blank" title="instagram"><img alt="ins" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/instagram_4138124(1).png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"></a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO_bN_T_NodcOYwcPjknaog" target="_blank" title="youtube"><img alt="yt" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/youtube_4494485(1).png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"></a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rashakelej/" target="_blank" title="flickr"><img alt="fl" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Round Flicker(1).png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"></a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.threads.net/@rasha_kelej" target="_blank" title="threads"><img alt="threads" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Thread(1).png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"></a>

&nbsp;

This latest recognition adds to a series of international accolades received by Dr. Rasha Kelej for her leadership and impactful social initiatives.

Dr. Rasha Kelej Named Among the “100 Most Impactful Voices 2026” by ABCD Africa After Being Recognized Among the 100 Most Influential Africans by New African Magazine and 100 Most Influential African Women by Avance Media

Watch the video of MFFLI Committee Meeting held during the 12 Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2025

Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative - MFFLI to discuss 2026 strategy and share programs’ impact to Train Healthcare Providers, Support Girl Education and Break Infertility Stigma

The First Ladies of 14 African and Asian countries joined as the Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers.

Merck Foundation CEO and First Ladies of Africa and Asia share their partnership journey in Transforming Patient Care Landscape, Supporting Girl Education and Breaking Infertility Stigma

Merck Foundation providing 166 scholarships for Zimbabwean doctors

Merck Foundation Chairman &amp; CEO and the First Lady of Zimbabwe Celebrate 7 Years of Long-Term Partnership to Train healthcare providers, Support Infertile Women &amp; Girl Education

We also formally launched the Merck Foundation programs in the country

Merck Foundation declared Gabon First Lady as Ambassador of “More than a Mother” to build healthcare capacity, break infertility stigma, and support girl education

<h2 class="section-title pr-0" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;border-left:2px solid rgb(75, 78, 83);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(75, 78, 83);font-family:times-new-roman;font-size:26px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:300;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:36px;margin:0px;orphans:2;padding:0px 25px !important;position:relative;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">Our Articles</h2>

Senator Rasha Kelej Welcomed Angola First Lady at the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025

Also signed an MoU to underscore long-term partnership and to continue Merck Foundation programs in the country

Merck Foundation CEO meets Cabo Verde First Lady & 13 First Ladies of Africa and Asia at the 7th Edition of MFFLI Summit

Senator Rasha Kelej Received Gabon First Lady for Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025

Empowering Change: Dr Rasha Kelej’s vision for women-led development

Senator Rasha Kelej Received The Gambia First Lady at the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit to Discuss Their Joint Programs to Build Healthcare Capacity

 210 scholarships for local Ghanian doctors

Merck Foundation CEO meets Ghana First Lady &amp; 13 First Ladies of Africa and Asia at the 7th Edition of MFFLI Summit

Watch here the video of the Merck Foundation Africa First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Committee Meeting.

First Ladies: Pledge bold action on health, education through MFFLI

Watch the "Mark's Pressure" Animation film here:

Merck Foundation and First Ladies of Africa and Asia mark World Heart Day by providing 925 scholarships in 52 countries

The April 2026 edition of Womenpreneur Middle East, themed “Unstoppable Women Edition,” celebrates visionary women creating impact beyond borders through leadership, innovation, and social transformation.

Dr. Rasha Kelej in an exclusive cover interview with Womenpreneur Middle East

Senator Rasha Kelej Received Kenya First Lady at the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit to Discuss Their Joint Programs to Build Healthcare Capacity

Watch the video of MFFLI committee meeting

Senator Rasha Kelej Received Liberia First Lady for Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025

Watch the Speech of The First Lady of Maldives 

Merck Foundation CEO meets Maldives First Lady &amp; 13 First Ladies of Africa and Asia at the 7th Edition of MFFLI Summit

Watch the video of Merck Foundation CEO, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej receiving H.E. the First Lady of Mozambique

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej appoints The First Lady of Mozambique as the Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother during the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025

Merck Foundation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) meets Nigeria First Lady & 13 First Ladies of Africa at 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit to discuss the strategy to reshape patientcare and support girl education in Africa and beyond

Watch the Speech of First Lady of São Tome and Principe & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mothe

Merck Foundation CEO Meets the First Lady of São Tome and Principe and 13 First Ladies of Africa and Asia at the 7th Edition of MFFLI Summit

Watch the Speech of The First Lady of Senegal & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother

Senator Rasha Kelej Received Senegal First Lady at the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit to Discuss the Impact of Their Joint Programs to Build Healthcare Capacity and Address Social and Health Issues

Senator Rasha Kelej received Zimbabwe First Lady at the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit to discuss the strategy to reshape patient care in Zimbabwe and celebrate the success of their joint programs

Listen to 'I AM Not Anyone's Bride, Take Me to School' Song here:

Merck Foundation raises awareness about Ending Child Marriage and Supporting Girl Education in Africa through two Zambian & Ugandan Songs

Forbes Article talks about Merck Foundation CEO creating Songs With African Musicians to Raise Awareness

<h2 class="section-title pr-0" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;border-left:2px solid rgb(75, 78, 83);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(75, 78, 83);font-family:times-new-roman;font-size:26px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:300;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:36px;margin:0px;orphans:2;padding:0px 25px !important;position:relative;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">Merck Foundation in Media</h2>

J&#39;ai d&eacute;couvert ce programme pour la premi&egrave;re fois en 2020, j&#39;avais donc b&eacute;n&eacute;fici&eacute; d&#39;une int&eacute;gration dans ce programme. &Eacute;tant dans la vie professionnelle, avoir une telle opportunit&eacute; de suivre une formation reconnue internationalement est rare dans notre pays. J&#39;ai donc eu le privil&egrave;ge de suivre ce programme que j&#39;ai trouv&eacute; int&eacute;ressant avec un contenu riche en articles, r&eacute;f&eacute;rences, mise &agrave; jour &eacute;pid&eacute;miologique, et une multitude de cas cliniques. Le site internet est bien ficel&eacute; et fluide que ce soit sur ordinateur ou smartphone. La possibilit&eacute; d&#39;y avoir acc&egrave;s via un smartphone fait une grande diff&eacute;rence et rend cette exp&eacute;rience encore plus agr&eacute;able. Je remercie la Fondation Merck de nous avoir donn&eacute; cette opportunit&eacute;. Personnellement, j&#39;ai &eacute;t&eacute; t&eacute;moin d&#39;un triple impact d&#39;abord sur le plan personnel, sur les patients et ensuite sur la communaut&eacute;. Gr&acirc;ce &agrave; cette formation, je prends en charge ad&eacute;quatement mes patients atteints de cette pathologie tout en assurant un bon suivi de la continuit&eacute; du traitement (je leur donne rendez-vous pour revenir en consultation apr&egrave;s un certain d&eacute;lai, pour ceux qui le souhaitent. Je donnez-leur mon num&eacute;ro de t&eacute;l&eacute;phone). Je suis devenu trop &agrave; l&#39;aise pour poser un diagnostic, g&eacute;rer les complications et sensibiliser la communaut&eacute;. Avec mes coll&egrave;gues, je partage cette nouvelle connaissance/mise &agrave; jour au profit de nos patients, de l&#39;h&ocirc;pital et de la communaut&eacute; en g&eacute;n&eacute;ral.

English Translation:

&nbsp;

I first learned about this program in 2020. Being in professional life, having such an opportunity to pursue internationally recognized training is rare in our country. So, I had the privilege of following this program which I found interesting with content rich in articles, references, epidemiological update, and a multitude of clinical cases. The website is well put together and fluid whether on computer or smartphone. The possibility of having access via a smartphone makes a big difference and makes this experience even more pleasant. I thank Merck Foundation for giving us this opportunity.

&nbsp;

Personally, I have witnessed a triple impact, first on the personal level, on the patients and then on the community. Thanks to this training, I take adequate care of my patients with this pathology while ensuring a good follow-up of the continuity of the treatment (I give them appointments to come back for consultation after a certain period, for those who wish it.). I am now comfortable making a diagnosis, dealing with complications, and raising awareness in the community. With my co-workers, I share this new knowledge/update for the benefit of our patients, the hospital, and the community at large.

Personally, I have witnessed a triple impact, first on the personal level, on the patients and then on the community. Thanks to this training, I take adequate care of my patients with this pathology while ensuring a good follow-up of the continuity of the treatment (I give them appointments to come back for consultation after a certain period, for those who wish it.).

Diabetes Mastercourse (French) | 2020

Dr. Egide Rwasa, Burundi

&ldquo;I am very delighted and honored to benefit from this great opportunity to be a part of Merck Foundation Medical Oncology Fellowship conducted&nbsp;at one of the best training sites worldwide, The National Cancer Institute (NCI ) in Egypt.&nbsp;

This Program will allow me, after completion to provide proper management for cancer patients in Rwanda and the whole East Africa region. Unfortunately there&#39;s still a big gap of cancer care infrastructure, lack of skilled personnel, hence poor outcomes plus high mortality rates in Africa.&nbsp;

Therefore, I am very thankful to the Merck Foundation and the Government of Rwanda for this great opportunity, that I strongly believe will help me make a positive impact on&nbsp;cancer care.&ldquo;
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I am very delighted and honored to benefit from this great opportunity of Merck Foundation Scholarship of Master degree of Medical Oncology   at one of the best training sites worldwide , The National  Cancer Institute (NCI ) in Egypt.

Merck Foundation Medical Oncology Fellowship | 2018

Dr Adolphe MUHIRE, Rwanda

My Name is Dr Moses Chirwa, Consultant Gynecologist and Fertility specialist at Chipata Central Hospital in Eastern Province of Zambia. I received a scholarship from Merck Foundation to be trained in Advanced Reproductive Techniques, from Milann Hospital, Bangalore, India.&nbsp;This training has helped me a lot in treating couples presenting with infertility. I mainly serve a rural population which is about 600km from the capital City Lusaka. Zambia has only one Fertility Hospital located in Lusaka, and thus couples needed to cover this long distance to get access to the services. Thanks to Merck Foundation, I&nbsp;am able to provide some of these services, for example, investigations like test for ovarian reserve right in our hospital, follicular tracking measurement and treatment by timed intercourse. Thanks to the training I&nbsp;can investigate and treat the couples much better than before.About 10% women visiting the gynecology outpatient department at our hospital are suffering from infertility. It is a huge social problem mainly due to the stigma against infertile women. Some end up as victims of gender-based violence and victims of infidelity as their husbands attempt to have children outside marriage. Thanks to Merck Foundation for the training, I am also fighting the stigma against infertile women by working with various local leaders and media campaigns.&nbsp;I am also teaching other doctors and nurses about the methods of screening and management of infertility.

This training has helped me a lot in treating couples presenting with infertility.

One year Postgraduate diploma in Sexual &amp; Reproductive Medecine&nbsp;| 2020 Advanced ART and Fertility Specialist Training | 2018 &nbsp;

Dr. Moses Chirwa, Zambia

<h2 class="section-title pr-0" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;border-left:2px solid rgb(75, 78, 83);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(75, 78, 83);font-family:times-new-roman;font-size:26px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:300;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:36px;margin:0px;orphans:2;padding:0px 25px !important;position:relative;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">Testimonials of Merck Foundation Alumni</h2>

Follow Dr. Rasha Kelej:

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Apply Now  - Merck Foundation Media, Fashion, Film &amp; Song Awards 2026 "More Than a Mother" &amp; "Diabetes &amp; Hypertension"

Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary

Merck Foundation More Than a Mother Movement

Merck Foundation Cancer Access Program

Merck Foundation Capacity Advancement Program

Together We Empower Women and Youth in Science and Technology

Merck Foundation STEM Program

Merck Foundation Educating Linda Program

Building Nationwide Diabetes & Hypertension Care Capacity

Merck Foundation Nationwide Diabetes & Hypertension Blue Points Program

Merck Foundation Cancer Access Program

<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;color:#fff;font-family:verdana;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px 0px 10px !important;orphans:2;text-align:justify;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is a German not-for-profit organization that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives. The Foundation focuses on improving access to quality and equitable healthcare solutions, building healthcare, scientific research &amp; media capacity, breaking infertility stigma and supporting girls&#39; education.

A WORLD WHERE EVERYONE CAN LEAD A HEALTHY AND FULFILLING LIFE

<h2 class="section-title pr-0" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(18, 92, 171);border-left:2px solid rgb(255, 255, 255);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:times-new-roman;font-size:26px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:300;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:36px;margin:0px;orphans:2;padding:0px 20px !important;position:relative;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">&nbsp;Our Vision</h2>

<h2 class="section-title tv-show-div" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;border-left:2px solid rgb(75, 78, 83);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(75, 78, 83);font-family:times-new-roman;font-size:26px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:300;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:36px;margin:0px;orphans:2;padding:0px 20px;position:relative;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">Impact of Merck Foundation Programs (as of September 2026)</h2>

Dr. Rasha Kelej Marks the 10th Anniversary of the historic "More Than a Mother" Campaign

12th Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2025

Dr. Rasha Kelej at the official launch of Merck Foundation programs in Gabon, 2026

Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative - MFFLI Summit 2025 - Overview

Merck Foundation’s animation characters together thank Merck Foundation for their efforts.

<h2 class="section-title pr-0" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;border-left:2px solid rgb(75, 78, 83);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(75, 78, 83);font-family:times-new-roman;font-size:26px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:300;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:36px;margin:0px;orphans:2;padding:0px 20px !important;position:relative;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">Hear Our Stories</h2>

/Awards/merck-foundation-media-recognition-awards-more-than-a-mother

Merck Foundation MEDIA RECOGNITION AWARDS “More Than a Mother”

Merck Foundation FILM AWARDS “More Than a Mother”

Merck Foundation FASHION AWARDS “More Than a Mother”

Merck Foundation SONG Awards “More Than a Mother”

Merck Foundation MEDIA RECOGNITION AWARDS “Diabetes & Hypertension”

/Awards/merck-foundation-film-awards-diabetes--hypertension

Merck Foundation FILM AWARDS “Diabetes & Hypertension”

Merck Foundation SONG AWARDS “Diabetes & Hypertension”

/Awards/merck-foundation-fashion-awards-diabetes--hypertension

Merck Foundation FASHION AWARDS “Diabetes & Hypertension”

Other Awards

<h2 class="section-title pr-0" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;border-left:2px solid rgb(75, 78, 83);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(75, 78, 83);font-family:times-new-roman;font-size:26px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:300;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:36px;margin:0px;orphans:2;padding:0px 20px !important;position:relative;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">Our Awards <a class="hyperlink" href="https://merck-foundation.com/Awards-Online-Application-Form" style="background-color:transparent;border-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(0, 103, 179);font-family:verdana;font-size:22px;margin:0px;outline:0px !important;padding:0px;transition:0.3s;" target="_blank">(Apply Now)</a></h2>

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			<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:35.34%;"><img alt="Dr. Rasha Kelej" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/media/CKfinder/2026/06/pasted_1781507431253_8rxrj5u_1781487630_b630c814.png" style="display:block;height:auto;max-width:100%;" /></figure>
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			A Series of Articles developed by Dr. Rasha Kelej

			Beyond sharing ideas on leadership, influence, and social impact, I see this platform as a mentorship program. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work alongside remarkable leaders across Africa and beyond, and I believe that knowledge and experience become truly valuable when they are shared.

			Through these articles, I hope to support and inspire future leaders, especially women and young people, to believe in their potential, develop their skills, and lead with integrity, compassion, and courage.

			This is my contribution to sustainable development and capacity building: investing in people, sharing lessons learned, and helping to create a new generation of leaders who will shape a better future for their communities and countries.
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Rasha Kelej Insights

<h2 class="section-title pr-0" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);border-left:2px solid rgb(75, 78, 83);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(75, 78, 83);font-family:times-new-roman;font-size:26px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:300;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:36px;margin:0px;orphans:2;padding:0px 20px !important;position:relative;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">Dr. Rasha Kelej,&nbsp;CEO of Merck Foundation</h2><h2 class="section-title pr-0" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);border-left:2px solid rgb(75, 78, 83);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(75, 78, 83);font-family:times-new-roman;font-size:26px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:300;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:36px;margin:0px;orphans:2;padding:0px 20px !important;position:relative;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">Beyond Power; Leadership, Global Influence and Impact</h2>

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I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to my dear sister, Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE, First Lady of Burundi and Ambassador of Merck Foundation &ldquo;More Than a Mother,&rdquo; and to her foundation, which she chairs, Fondation Bonne Action Umugiraneza, on receiving the prestigious United Nations Population Award 2026 in the Institutional Category. The award, presented at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, recognizes the outstanding contribution of Fondation Bonne Action Umugiraneza towards improving the health, education, and well-being of communities in Burundi.

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/WhatsApp Image 2026-08-23 at 23_37_56.jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;" />

This recognition is very well deserved and reflects the commitment and important work of the Foundation to improve the health and well-being of the people of Burundi. I am especially proud because this recognition comes to a long-term and valued partner of Merck Foundation. Since 2020, we have worked closely with Her Excellency the First Lady, her Office, Fondation Bonne Action Umugiraneza, and the relevant Ministries to achieve important and measurable impact in Burundi. This recognition in 2026 follows another significant milestone for H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE,&nbsp;who was herself selected as the recipient of the United Nations Population Award in the Individual Category in 2023, in recognition of her leadership and advocacy in improving health and well-being in Burundi.

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/WhatsApp Image 2026-08-23 at 23_37_56(1).jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;" />

I want to highlight that, in her capacity as the First Lady of the Republic of Burundi and Ambassador of &ldquo;Merck Foundation More Than a Mother,&rdquo;&nbsp;H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE,&nbsp;has played an important role in supporting advocacy and local coordination, including collaboration with the relevant Ministries of Health, Education, Communication, and Gender in identifying the appropriate beneficiaries, facilitating local processes, supporting the return and integration of trained healthcare professionals into their countries and public health systems, and advancing awareness and creating a culture shift around critical and sensitive social and health issues such as girls&rsquo; education, ending child marriage, addressing stigma surrounding infertility, stopping gender-based violence, empowering women, and promoting prevention and early detection of critical health conditions such as diabetes and hypertension through our community awareness programs and their different initiatives, such as Health Media Training and media, song, film, and fashion awards. Through this coordination and advocacy partnership, the First Lady has helped transform the patient care landscape, amplify important messages at national and community levels, and mobilize stakeholders around these critical issues.

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/WhatsApp Image 2026-08-23 at 23_37_56 (5).jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;" />

Her foundation, Fondation Bonne Action Umugiraneza, as a separate institutional partner, has collaborated with us in the implementation of initiatives, including the &ldquo;Educating Linda&rdquo; program, which annually supports the education of 40 high-performing but underprivileged schoolgirls in Burundi until they finish their school education. Through the program, Merck Foundation is currently providing annual educational scholarships to 40 high-performing but underprivileged Burundian schoolgirls, helping them remain in school and pursue their education. Moreover, we are distributing thousands of school item sets and storybooks to school students.

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/WhatsApp Image 2026-08-23 at 23_37_56 (2).jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 900px;" />

I strongly believe that educating girls is one of the most powerful ways to empower women and transform communities. Through our &ldquo;Educating Linda&rdquo; program, and with the valuable coordination of Fondation Bonne Action Umugiraneza, we are supporting the education of 40 deserving girls annually. At the same time, through Her Excellency&rsquo;s role as our &ldquo;More Than a Mother&rdquo; Ambassador, we work together to advocate for girls&rsquo; education and address the social issues that can prevent girls from completing their education, such as child marriage. These are complementary roles: coordination, advocacy, and awareness create cultural change, while the structured &ldquo;Educating Linda&rdquo; program translates that commitment into direct and measurable impact for beneficiaries.&nbsp;

The partnership has also achieved important milestones in healthcare capacity building. Through our partnership with the Office of the First Lady and the Ministry of Health, Merck Foundation scholarship programs, and in coordination with Burundi&rsquo;s health authorities and partners, we have&nbsp;provided 55 scholarships for Burundian doctors across critical and underserved medical specialties, contributing to building sustainable local healthcare capacity in the public sector. We have provided specialized training for Burundi&rsquo;s first fertility specialists, embryologists, and technicians, contributing to the establishment of the country&rsquo;s first public IVF center.

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/WhatsApp Image 2026-08-23 at 23_37_57.jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;" />

We invest in people to strengthen the public healthcare sector and, hence, improve access to quality and equitable healthcare solutions in Africa, Asia, and developing communities. We provide scholarships for healthcare providers so that countries can develop their own specialists and health experts who remain part of their healthcare systems and serve their communities for many years to come.

Moreover, our partnership in Burundi is a strong example of what can be achieved when healthcare capacity building, education and community awareness work together.&nbsp;Beyond medical training and girls&rsquo; education, Merck Foundation and its partners in Burundi have implemented community awareness initiatives using media, educational materials, children&rsquo;s storybooks, songs and other creative platforms to address sensitive social and health issues.&nbsp;These initiatives complement the advocacy leadership of H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE&nbsp;as Ambassador of &ldquo;Merck Foundation More Than a Mother,&rdquo; while working with relevant national institutions and partners to ensure that programs reach their intended beneficiaries.

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Once again, I congratulate my dear sister, H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE, and the entire team of Fondation Bonne Action Umugiraneza on this prestigious United Nations recognition.

I am proud of what we have achieved together with both entities since the beginning of our partnership in 2020, and I look forward to continuing and expanding our collaboration.

Kind Regards, 
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), 
CEO of Merck Foundation&nbsp; 
President of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative, MFFLI

&nbsp;

To know more about Dr.&nbsp;Rasha Kelej&rsquo;s journey, follow on Social Media

<img height="40" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/FB(25).png" width="40" />&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/KelejRasha/">@KelejRasha</a>

<img height="40" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Instagram(22).png" width="40" />&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/rasha_kelej/">Rasha_Kelej</a>

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<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Flicker(12).png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;" />&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rashakelej/">Rasha Kelej</a>

&nbsp;&nbsp;<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Threads Black Logo.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;" /><a href="https://www.threads.net/@rasha_kelej">@Rasha_Kelej</a>

&nbsp;

Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on congratulating Burundi’s First Lady and Foundation Bonne Action Umugiraneza on winning the United Nations Population Award, 2026

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Main_Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO with Ghana First Lady and their Alumni.jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 319px;" /> 
Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO with Ghana First Lady and their Alumni.

I am delighted to meet our long-term partner and my dear sister, H.E. Mrs. LORDINA DRAMANI MAHAMA, First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, and to honor her outstanding contribution as the Ambassador of &ldquo;Merck Foundation More Than a Mother&rdquo; during the Merck Foundation Ghana Alumni Summit 2026. We also formally launched the Merck Foundation programs in the country&nbsp;and&nbsp;underscored&nbsp;our commitment towards building healthcare and media capacity, patient care landscape&nbsp;transformation, breaking infertility stigma and supporting girl education, together in the country.

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO with Ghana First Lady.jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;" /> 
Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO with Ghana First Lady.

I am proud to share that we have provided 257 scholarships for local Ghanaian healthcare providers in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties, with the aim to establish a strong platform of skilled and specialized healthcare providers across Ghana&rsquo;s healthcare sector nationwide.

Moreover, through our Educating Linda Program, we are also providing annual scholarships for our 40 high-performing yet underprivileged Ghanaian schoolgirls, to help them complete their education. Educating and empowering young girls is one of the most powerful investments we can make towards building stronger families, thriving communities, and a brighter future for our nation.

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Image 2(28).jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;" />

Overall, we have provided more than 2,600 scholarships for healthcare providers in 44 critical and underserved specialties from over 52 countries. During the Summit, Merck Foundation alumni shared their inspiring testimonies on how these scholarships have transformed their professional journeys and improved patient care in their communities.

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Image 4.JPG" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;" />

The summit was also attended by the beneficiaries of Educating Linda Program, where the young girls shared powerful testimonies about how these scholarships have positively transformed their lives. Listening to their journeys and learning about the impact these scholarships have had on their education, confidence, and future aspirations was truly inspiring and deeply moving. Read more about the &ldquo;Educating Linda&rdquo; Program in Ghana <a href="https://merck-foundation.com/ceo-message/Message-from-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-CEO-of-Merck-Foundation-on-marking-a-landmark-moment-in-supporting-girl-education-through-the-Educating-Linda-Program-in-Ghana">here</a>.

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Image 8.JPG" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;" />

During the Summit, we also announced the Call for Application for 2026 Awards, in partnership with the Ghana First Lady.

I invited Ghanaian talents to apply for the awards here: https://merck-foundation.com/Awards-Online-Application-Form

Kind regards, 
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.) 
CEO of Merck Foundation 
President of &ldquo;More Than a Mother&rdquo; Campaign

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Image 14.JPG" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;" /> 
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To know more about Dr.&nbsp;Rasha Kelej&rsquo;s journey, follow on Social Media 
&nbsp;

<img height="40" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/FB(25).png" width="40" />&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/KelejRasha/">@KelejRasha</a>

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<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/twitter-x-logo(2).png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;" />&nbsp; <a href="https://twitter.com/Rashakelej">Rasha Kelej</a>

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&nbsp;&nbsp;<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Threads Black Logo.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;" /><a href="https://www.threads.net/@rasha_kelej">@Rasha_Kelej</a>

&nbsp;

Read more about the “Educating Linda” Program in Ghana here

Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on declaring the First Lady of Ghana as the Ambassador of “More Than a Mother” during their Annual Summit in Ghana

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Main image for release(1).png" style="width: 600px; height: 315px;"> 
Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO, together with Kenya First Lady during the Merck Foundation Kenya Alumni Summit.

As you all know, we recently officially launched our Educating Linda Program to support girls’ education, in partnership with the First Lady of Kenya and Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother,” at the Kenya State House. The program was chaired by the Chairman of the Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, me, and the First Lady of Kenya, H.E. Mrs. Rachel Ruto, E.G.H.

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/4(3).jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;"> 
Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO, together with Kenya First Lady during the Merck Foundation Kenya Alumni Summit.

During our visit, we also conducted the Merck Foundation Kenya Alumni Summit 2026 to highlight the impact of their scholarship program, with the aim to build healthcare capacity and transform the patient care landscape across Kenya nationwide.

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/5(3).jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 308px;">

I am proud that through our long-term partnership we have provided 328 scholarships for young Kenyan healthcare providers in 44 critical and underserved specialties. I am also happy to share that nearly 50% of these scholarships have been awarded to women healthcare providers, reinforcing our commitment to women empowerment.

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2(4).jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;">

It was also great meeting Kenya Minister of Health, Hon. Aden Duale and our Alumni, who are the future healthcare experts of Kenya. We are looking forward to extending our scholarship program to more healthcare providers in partnership with First Lady of Kenya and in collaboration with Medical Societies and Ministry of Health when possible.

One of the important specialties that we are focusing on in 2025 and 2026 in Kenya is the scholarship of One Year Diploma in Nutrition, to support the program of Feeding and Food Security of Kenya First Lady. More than 90 scholarships are dedicated to this specialty across the 47 provinces of Kenya. This will create a culture shift in leading a healthy lifestyle for the whole population which will contribute to healthier communities and hence social and economic development of the whole country nationwide. 

The program was also attended by the Kenyan winners of Merck Foundation Media Awards 2024 and 2025. It was a pleasure meeting and celebrating our Winners, the health and social champions, who are the voice of the voiceless.

Out of the total 328 scholarships, we have provided:

<ul>
	<li style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">121 scholarships for one-year postgraduate diplomas and two-year master’s degrees in Diabetes, Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, Cardiology, and Endocrinology. These programs enable doctors to establish specialized diabetes clinics across the country.</li>
	<li style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">10 scholarships for Oncology, which is a critical specialty to strengthen cancer care capacity.</li>
	<li style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">49 scholarships for Fertility, Embryology, and Reproductive Medicine under the “More Than a Mother” campaign, bringing hope and support to couples facing infertility challenges.</li>
	<li style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">148 scholarships for other important specialties such as Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, Neurology, Emergency Medicine, Dermatology, and many more, contributing significantly to strengthening Kenya’s healthcare system.</li>
</ul>

Overall, Merck Foundation has provided more than 2,600 scholarships for healthcare providers in 44 critical and underserved specialties from over 52 countries.

During the Summit, Merck Foundation alumni shared their inspiring testimonies on how these scholarships have transformed their professional journeys and improved patient care in their communities.

Kind regards, 
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.) 
CEO of Merck Foundation

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/7(3).jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;"> 
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<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/3(3).jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;"> 
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To know more about Dr. Rasha Kelej’s journey, follow on Social Media 
&nbsp;

<img height="40" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/FB(25).png" width="40">&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/KelejRasha/">@KelejRasha</a>

<img height="40" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Instagram(22).png" width="40">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/rasha_kelej/">Rasha_Kelej</a>

&nbsp;<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Webp_net-resizeimage (8)(23).png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Rasha_Kelej">@Rasha_Kelej</a>

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/twitter-x-logo(2).png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;">&nbsp; <a href="https://twitter.com/Rashakelej">Rasha Kelej</a>

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Flicker(12).png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;">&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rashakelej/">Rasha Kelej</a>

&nbsp;&nbsp;<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Threads Black Logo.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"><a href="https://www.threads.net/@rasha_kelej">@Rasha_Kelej</a>

&nbsp;

Read about the “Educating Linda” Program at Kenya State House here

Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on celebrating the legacy to transform the patient care landscape nationwide via more than 328 scholarships with the Kenya First Lady during Kenya Alumni Summit 2026

Please see the list of Media winners below.

Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on announcing 124 Winners from 32 Countries for the Media Awards for Breaking infertility Stigma and Supporting Girl Education

<img alt="" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Hero 1_JPG (1).jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;"> 
Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO with Ghana First Lady&nbsp;during the launch of Educating Linda Program.

I am happy to share that we have officially launched our Educating Linda Program to support girl education, in partnership with First Lady of Ghana,&nbsp;H.E. Mrs. LORDINA DRAMANI MAHAMA, who is also the&nbsp;Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” in Ghana. The program was chaired by the Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, myself, and the First Lady of Ghana.

<img alt="" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/WhatsApp Image 2026-05-22 at 14_52_53 (1).jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 428px;"> 
Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO with Ghana First Lady&nbsp;during the launch of Educating Linda Program.

It is a great pleasure to meet our long-term partner and my dear sister, First Lady of Ghana &amp; Ambassador of "Merck Foundation More Than a Mother", to officially launch our programs both Educating Linda program and scholarships programs in partnership with her office and the Lordina Foundation, to support girl education in the country.&nbsp;As a part of Educating Linda program, we are providing annual scholarships to 40 high-performing yet underprivileged Ghanian schoolgirls, till they finish their education. Our aim is to ensure that financial challenges never stand in the way of their dreams and potential. We strongly believe that educating a girl empowers not only her, but also her family, community, and future generations.

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/5(5).jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;">

During the program, we took the opportunity to meet and encourage the Ghanian schoolgirls who are the beneficiaries of the Educating Linda program, and to hear directly from them and their parents about the impact the scholarships have had on their lives.&nbsp;&nbsp;Along with the First Lady, we have provided&nbsp;provided 257 scholarships for Ghanian healthcare providers in 44 critical and underserved specialties; including Fertility, Embryology, Sexual &amp; Reproductive Care, Urology, Women’s Health, Family Medicine, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Preventive Cardiovascular and Obesity &amp; Weight Management, Oncology, cancer Care, Acute Medicine, Respiratory Care, Critical care, General Surgery, Trauma and Orthopaedics, Psychiatry, Dermatology, Emergency &amp; Resuscitation Medicine, Gastroenterology, Infectious diseases, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Neuroimaging for Research, Pain Management, Rheumatology, Neonatal Medicine, Paediatrics and Child Health, Care of the Older Person and more.

During our&nbsp;visit, we have also conducted the Merck Foundation&nbsp;Alumni Summit 2026, to acknowledge and meet our&nbsp;Alumni. Moreover, we&nbsp;also met and recognized the Merck Foundation Awards Winners of 2024 and 2025.&nbsp;

<img alt="" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/WhatsApp Image 2026-05-22 at 14_52_54(1).jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;">

The Educating Linda program by Merck Foundation in partnership with African First Ladies, has provided more than 1,500 annual scholarships for schoolgirls across 21 African countries, including Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and others. The program also ensures that thousands of schoolgirls across Africa receive essential school supplies, removing further practical obstacles to their education. When a girl is educated, an&nbsp;entire nation is empowered. Educated girls grow into empowered women, who drive prosperity, strengthen families, and advance nations. That is the vision behind everything we do: Girl Education today for Women Empowerment tomorrow.

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/9.JPG" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;">

In partnership with the First Lady of Ghana, we have launched&nbsp;seven children’s storybooks titled “More Than a Mother”, “Educating Linda”, “Jackline’s Rescue”, “Not Who You Are”, “Ride into the Future”, “Sugar Free Jude”, and “Mark’s Pressure”. These storybooks address critical social and health issues and will be available in both English and Swahili. Thousands of copies of these storybooks will be distributed to schoolchildren across Ghana.

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/13(14).jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;">

We also annually launch eight important awards for excellence in media, film, fashion design, and song. Together, we have also conducted several editions of the Merck Foundation Health Media Training Program, enabling Ghanian&nbsp;journalists to be equipped to be the voice of the voiceless and report responsibly and effectively on sensitive topics, including infertility, child marriage, gender based violence, diabetes, and hypertension.

I invite the media and creative community apply for the awards, by clicking <a href="https://merck-foundation.com/Awards-Online-Application-Form">here</a>.

Kind regards, 
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.) 
CEO of Merck Foundation

To know more about Dr. Rasha Kelej’s journey, follow on Social Media 
&nbsp;

<img height="40" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/FB(25).png" width="40">&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/KelejRasha/">@KelejRasha</a>

<img height="40" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Instagram(22).png" width="40">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/rasha_kelej/">Rasha_Kelej</a>

&nbsp;<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Webp_net-resizeimage (8)(23).png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Rasha_Kelej">@Rasha_Kelej</a>

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/twitter-x-logo(2).png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;">&nbsp; <a href="https://twitter.com/Rashakelej">Rasha Kelej</a>

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Flicker(12).png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;">&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rashakelej/">Rasha Kelej</a>

&nbsp;&nbsp;<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Threads Black Logo.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"><a href="https://www.threads.net/@rasha_kelej">@Rasha_Kelej</a>

&nbsp;

Apply for eight important awards for excellence in media, film, fashion design, and song

Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on launching the “Educating Linda” Program to support girl education with the First Lady of Ghana in the country

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Main_Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO with Kenya First Lady at Kenya State House during the launch of Educating Linda Program.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;"> 
Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO with Kenya First Lady at Kenya State House during the launch of Educating Linda Program.

I am happy to share that we have officially launched our Educating Linda Program to support girl education, in partnership with the First Lady of Kenya and Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”, at the Kenya State House. The program was chaired by the Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, myself, and the First Lady of Kenya, H.E. Mrs. Rachel Ruto, E.G.H.

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO with Kenya First Lady.jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;"> 
Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO &nbsp;with Kenya First Lady.

As part of Educating Linda, we are providing annual scholarships to 47 deserving, high performing, yet underprivileged Kenyan schoolgirls, until they complete their education. This will ensure they are not forced to abandon their education due to financial hardship. We truly believe that an educated girl transforms the entire community.

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO with Kenya First Lady at Kenya State House during the launch of Educating Linda Program (9).JPG" style="width: 600px; height: 359px;"> 
Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO with Kenya First Lady at Kenya State House during the launch of Educating Linda Program.

During the program, together with the First Lady of Kenya, we took the opportunity to meet and encourage the Kenyan schoolgirls who are beneficiaries of the Educating Linda Program, and to hear directly from them and their parents about the impact the scholarships have had on their lives.&nbsp;The Educating Linda Program by Merck Foundation, in partnership with African First Ladies, is providing annual scholarships to more than 1,250 schoolgirls across 21 African countries, including Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and others. The program also ensures that thousands of schoolgirls across Africa receive essential school supplies, removing further practical obstacles to their education.&nbsp;When a girl is educated, an entire nation is empowered. Educated girls grow into empowered women who drive prosperity, strengthen families, and advance nations. That is the vision behind everything we do: girl education today for women empowerment tomorrow.

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO with Kenya First Lady at Kenya State House during the launch of Educating Linda Program .JPG" style="width: 600px; height: 363px;"> 
Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO with Kenya First Lady at Kenya State House during the launch of Educating Linda Program.

Moreover, we have provided 328 scholarships for Kenyan healthcare providers in 44 critical and underserved specialties, including Diabetes, Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Oncology, Fertility, Embryology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Gastroenterology, Psychiatry, Neurology, and many more. During the visit, we also conducted our Alumni Summit 2026, together with Kenya First Lady, to acknowledge and meet our alumni. Moreover, we met and recognized the Merck Foundation Awards winners of 2024 and 2025.

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO with Kenya First Lady at Kenya State House during the launch of Educating Linda Program (5).JPG" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;">

In partnership with the First Lady of Kenya, we are launching seven children’s storybooks titled “More Than a Mother”, “Educating Linda”, “Jackline’s Rescue”, “Not Who You Are”, “Ride into the Future”, “Sugar Free Jude”, and “Mark’s Pressure”. These storybooks address critical social and health issues and will be available in both English and Swahili. Thousands of copies of these storybooks will be distributed to schoolchildren across Kenya.

We also annually launch eight important awards for excellence in media, film, fashion design, and song. Together, we have also conducted several editions of the Merck Foundation Health Media Training Program, enabling Kenyan journalists to be equipped to be the voice of the voiceless and report responsibly and effectively on sensitive topics, including infertility, child marriage, gender based violence, diabetes, and hypertension. 

I invite the media and creative community apply for the awards, by clicking <a href="https://merck-foundation.com/Awards-Online-Application-Form">here</a>.

Kind regards, 
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.) 
CEO of Merck Foundation

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<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO with Kenya First Lady at Kenya State House during the launch of Educating Linda Program (1).JPG" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;">

To know more about Dr. Rasha Kelej’s journey, follow on Social Media 
&nbsp;

<img height="40" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/FB(25).png" width="40">&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/KelejRasha/">@KelejRasha</a>

<img height="40" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Instagram(22).png" width="40">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/rasha_kelej/">Rasha_Kelej</a>

&nbsp;<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Webp_net-resizeimage (8)(23).png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Rasha_Kelej">@Rasha_Kelej</a>

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/twitter-x-logo(2).png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;">&nbsp; <a href="https://twitter.com/Rashakelej">Rasha Kelej</a>

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Flicker(12).png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;">&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rashakelej/">Rasha Kelej</a>

&nbsp;&nbsp;<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Threads Black Logo.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"><a href="https://www.threads.net/@rasha_kelej">@Rasha_Kelej</a>

&nbsp;

Apply for Merck Foundation Awards and Scholarships

Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, marking a landmark moment in supporting girl education through the “Educating Linda” Program at Kenya State House

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/APO_Merck Foundation CEO Dr Rasha Kelej congratulates the Winners of 2025 Awards.jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 600px;" />

I am incredibly proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Merck Foundation Fashion, Song and Film Awards together with my dear sisters, African First Ladies, who are also the Ambassadors of &ldquo;Merck Foundation More Than a Mother&rdquo;.

I congratulate our 51 winners from 15 African countries.&nbsp;

I am truly impressed by the quality and quantity of the entries we received this year. Our winners have creatively and effectively conveyed important social and health awareness messages through their work. I have always believed that fashion and art play a crucial role in raising awareness about health and sensitive social issues.

I am also happy to announce the Call for Applications for the&nbsp;2026 Edition of Merck Foundation Fashion, Song &amp; Film Awards &lsquo;More Than a Mother&rsquo; and &lsquo;Diabetes &amp; Hypertension&rsquo;,&nbsp;in partnership with&nbsp;First Ladies of Africa and Asia.

I invite the young African talents to submit their creative work, carrying powerful messages that break the silence.

Apply for the awards <a href="https://merck-foundation.com/Awards-Online-Application-Form">here</a>&nbsp;or all the entries can also be submitted via email to:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:submit@merck-foundation.com" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline" title="mailto:submit@merck-foundation.com">submit@merck-foundation.com</a>

Here is the list of Merck Foundation FASHION Awards &ldquo;More Than a Mother&rdquo; 2025 Winners:

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Ropafadzo Mapira, ZIMBABWE, First Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Adebayo Balikis Ireti, NIGERIA, First Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Mame Bara Gaye, SENEGAL, Second Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Serigne Modou Diouf, SENEGAL, Second Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Johannes Medard Tairo, TANZANIA, Second Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Niyigena Angella, UGANDA, Second Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Giovanni Peter Gazigile, TANZANIA, Third Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Kutesa Tyson Vicent, UGANDA, Third Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Linda Ngwira, ZAMBIA, Third Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Gibstar Makangila, ZAMBIA, Third Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Mercy Duke, ZIMBABWE, Third Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Oluwatosin Oloruntobi Adeyanju, NIGERIA, Third Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Ngatendwe Hope Gowera, NAMIBIA, Third Position</li>
</ul>

Here are the Winners of Merck Foundation FASHION Awards &ldquo;Diabetes &amp; Hypertension&rdquo; 2025:

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Christianah Adebimpe Dare, NIGERIA, First position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Lynn Chipendo, ZIMBABWE, First position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Beatricia Lucas, NAMIBIA, Second Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Tinotenda Nissi Mafusire, ZAMBIA, Second Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Oloyede Eniola Sunday, NIGERIA, Second Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Isabel Mawusinu Kulafe, GHANA, Third Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Mercy Njeri Daniel, KENYA, Third Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Hezra Carolina Gove, MOZAMBIQUE, Third Position</li>
</ul>

Here is the list of winners of Merck Foundation &lsquo;More Than a Mother&rsquo; Song Awards 2025:

English Language

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Vincent Owino, KENYA, First Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Alice Eze, NIGERIA, First Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Maureen Kabasiita, UGANDA, Second Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Warren Frank Kawiche, TANZANIA, Third Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">OBED Murphy Agai, NIGERIA, Third Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Christianah Adebimpe Dare, NIGERIA, Third Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Cardi Shembaz&egrave;, NIGERIA, Third Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Neema Nasirumbi, KENYA, Third Position</li>
</ul>

French Language

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Kumbuka Bashonga Jeremie, DRC, First Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Ndiouga FALL, SENEGAL, First Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Brake Mackaya, GABON, Second Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Natty Stelle KOKOLO, SENEGAL, Third Position</li>
</ul>

Local Language

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Coumba Coly, SENEGAL, First Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Bigirimana Linah Blanche, BURUNDI, First Position</li>
</ul>

Here is the list of winners of Merck Foundation &lsquo;Diabetes &amp; Hypertension&rsquo; Song Awards 2025:

English Language

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Jasmin Dally Koech, KENYA, First Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Omotola Ijaola, NIGERIA, Second Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Dr Ndumiso Tshuma, SOUTH AFRICA, Third Position</li>
</ul>

French Language

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">&Eacute;tienne Kasereka, DRC, First Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Nantenaina Andriamorasata, MADAGASCAR, Second Position</li>
</ul>

Here is the list of winners of Merck Foundation &lsquo;More Than a Mother&rsquo; Film Awards 2025:

English Language

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Calvin Oyula, KENYA, First Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Temitope Adebisi Adeyanju, NIGERIA, Second Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Bartholomew Sey, GHANA, Third Position</li>
</ul>

French Language

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Baderhwa Benoit, GABON, First Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">David LeGrand F, GABON, First Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Thierno Seydou Nouro SY, SENEGAL, Second Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Meye Fabien, GABON, Second Position</li>
</ul>

Here is the list of winners of Merck Foundation &lsquo;Diabetes &amp; Hypertension&rsquo; Film Awards 2025:

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Mukendi Wabiuma Josu&eacute; Yann, GABON, First Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Stephano Bloquet, MAURITIUS, Second Position</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">Denis Manuel, NAMIBIA, Second Position</li>
</ul>

Kind Regards, 
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.) 
CEO of Merck Foundation

To know more about Dr.&nbsp;Rasha Kelej&rsquo;s journey, follow on Social Media 
&nbsp;

<img height="40" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/FB(25).png" width="40" />&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/KelejRasha/">@KelejRasha</a>

<img height="40" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Instagram(22).png" width="40" />&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/rasha_kelej/">Rasha_Kelej</a>

&nbsp;<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Webp_net-resizeimage (8)(23).png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;" /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Rasha_Kelej">@Rasha_Kelej</a>

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/twitter-x-logo(2).png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;" />&nbsp; <a href="https://twitter.com/Rashakelej">Rasha Kelej</a>

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Flicker(12).png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;" />&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rashakelej/">Rasha Kelej</a>

&nbsp;&nbsp;<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Threads Black Logo.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;" /><a href="https://www.threads.net/@rasha_kelej">@Rasha_Kelej</a>

&nbsp;

Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on announcing the Winners of Fashion, Song and Film Awards 2025 for driving awareness on social and health issues – 51 winners from 15 countries announced in partnership with the First Ladies of Africa

Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on celebrating seven years of partnership with the First Lady of Zimbabwe

Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on celebrating seven years of partnership with the First Lady of Zimbabwe to transform patient care and empower women

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/WhatsApp Image 2026-04-28 at 16_34_08.jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 375px;">

I am truly proud to mark the 10th Anniversary of “More Than a Mother” movement, it has been an extraordinary journey, one that is very close to my heart.

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/MTM Commitment Board.jpg.jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;">

I created “More Than a Mother” to break the stigma around infertility and to empower women living with infertility through access to information, education, health and change of mindset.

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/_MG_1887.jpg.jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;">

Over the last 10 years, I have been honoured to work closely with over 33 African and Asian First Ladies of countries including Zimbabwe, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, São Tomé &amp; Príncipe, Nigeria, Mozambique, Maldives, Malawi, Liberia, Kenya, Ghana, Gambia, Gabon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Cabo Verde, Burundi, Botswana, and Angola as Ambassadors of “Merck Foundation More than a Mother” to build reproductive and fertility care capacity, break infertility stigma and support girl education.

&nbsp;<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/_MG_4129.jpg.jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;">

As a part of the “More Than a Mother” movement, Merck Foundation, together with African and Asian First Ladies, and their key partners including Ministries of Health, Information, Education and Gender, academia, policymakers, international fertility societies, media, and art, has been breaking infertility stigma, raising awareness about male infertility, and making history by reshaping the landscape of fertility and reproductive care across Africa and beyond.

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/_MG_1887.jpg.jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;">

We have provided over 770 scholarships to healthcare providers from 42 countries, for clinical training of Fertility care and Embryology, and One year PG Diploma and two-year Master Degree in Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Psychiatry, Women's Health, Biotechnology of Human Assisted Reproduction &amp; Embryology, Urology, Laparoscopic Surgical skills and Family Medicine. These specialists are critical to advance quality and equitable women health in general and reproductive and fertility care in particular. Many of our Alumni have been trained to become the first-ever local specialists in their countries, which previously did not have even a single local embryologist or fertility specialist, in countries such as The Gambia, Burundi, Guinea, Chad, Niger, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Malawi, Congo, Mozambique, and more.

<img alt="" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2016 CDI - Empowered Women.jpg.jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;">

Moreover, we have also supported the establishment of the first-ever Public IVF centres in many countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Niger, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Uganda and Guinea, by providing scholarships to train their IVF and fertility care teams.

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/_MG_7241.jpg.jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;">

We have also been empowering childless and infertile women through our “Empowering Berna” initiative under the “More Than a Mother” movement. This initiative helps women who cannot be treated for infertility anymore by helping them get trained to establish small businesses so that they can be independent and rebuild their lives. Through ‘Empowering Berna’, the lives of many infertile women have been transformed in many African countries like Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Niger, Malawi, and many more.

<img alt="" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/_MG_8483.jpg.jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;">

It’s all about giving every woman the respect and the help she deserves to lead a fulfilling life, with or without a child.

<img alt="" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/DSC_1639.JPG.jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 399px;">

Moreover, Merck Foundation has trained more than 3700 media representatives from more than 35 countries to raise community awareness and break the stigma around infertility and infertile and childless women.

In partnership with Africa’s First Ladies, we have also launched ‘More Than Mother’ Children’s storybook to emphasize strong family values of love and respect from a young age which will reflect on eliminating the stigma of infertility and the resulted domestic violence in the future. The storybooks have been localized for each country and in three languages, English, French and Portuguese to better connect with the young readers. The book has also been adapted to an animation film.

Watch More Than a Mother Animation Film here:&nbsp; 
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ri1vnt7VM-M" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="560"></iframe>

Our pan African TV program&nbsp;“Our Africa”, that is&nbsp;conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by me, and features African Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent experts&nbsp;from various domains with the aim to raise awareness and create a culture shift across Africa, has many episodes dedicated to raise awareness about infertility and breaking infertility stigma.

Watch the episodes here:

Episode 3:&nbsp;

<div class="videoEmbed" style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BONCtUJZLHI" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="560"></iframe></div>

Episode 5:&nbsp;

<div class="videoEmbed" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="videoEmbed"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RqobIDOHc4E" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="560"></iframe></div>

&nbsp;
</div>

Episode 10:&nbsp;

<div class="videoEmbed" style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FXkB6sYb2Rw" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="560"></iframe></div>

We have also released about 30 songs, many of these songs have been created with the aim to break the infertility stigma, as a part of their “More Than a Mother” campaign. Listen to some of the songs here:

Watch, share &amp; subscribe to the 'Plus qu'une MERE' composed and sung by Ms. Lucky-Lou, the daughter of The President and The First Lady of Burundi:&nbsp; 
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EEUjxjqlHv0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="560"></iframe> 
Watch, share &amp; subscribe to the “More Than a Mother” song by Cwesi Oteng and Adina from Ghana:&nbsp;

<div class="videoEmbed" style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NQ6ZprqAAJs" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="560"></iframe> 
Watch, share &amp; subscribe to the “More Than a Mother” song by Zambian Soul Singer Wezi:</div>

<div class="videoEmbed" style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TcRAHDuCjak" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="560"></iframe> 
Watch, share &amp; subscribe to the “More Than a Mother” song by Sunita Daffeh from the Gambia:&nbsp;</div>

<div class="videoEmbed" style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Cb0SEqMO0Sc" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="560"></iframe></div>

<div class="videoEmbed" style="text-align: justify;">Listen to all “More than a Mother” songs <a href="https://merck-foundation.com/our-programs/Merck-Foundation-More-Than-a-Mother/Local-Songs-and-Children-Stories">here</a>:</div>

To address this important issue of breaking infertility stigma and also a wide range of other social issues, we annually launch Merck Foundation ‘More Than a Mother’ Awards in partnership with African First Ladies. I would also like to invite the African Community of Media, Fashion, Filmmaking, and Musicians, students, and potential talents in these fields to apply for the awards this year by sharing their creative work.&nbsp;Click to apply <a href="https://merck-foundation.com/Awards-Online-Application-Form">here</a>:

Kind regards, 
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.) 
CEO of Merck Foundation 
President of "More Than a Mother" Movement

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/13.jpg.jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;"> 
<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Picture 4.JPG.jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;"> 
<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/_MG_6654.jpg.jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;"> 
<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/_MG_7583.jpg.jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;"> 
<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/_MG_9404.jpg.jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;"> 
<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/15.jpg.jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;">

To know more about Dr. Rasha Kelej’s journey, follow on Social Media 
&nbsp;

<img height="40" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/FB(25).png" width="40">&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/KelejRasha/">@KelejRasha</a>

<img height="40" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Instagram(22).png" width="40">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/rasha_kelej/">Rasha_Kelej</a>

&nbsp;<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Webp_net-resizeimage (8)(23).png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Rasha_Kelej">@Rasha_Kelej</a>

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/twitter-x-logo(2).png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;">&nbsp; <a href="https://twitter.com/Rashakelej">Rasha Kelej</a>

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Flicker(12).png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;">&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rashakelej/">Rasha Kelej</a>

&nbsp;&nbsp;<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Threads Black Logo.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"><a href="https://www.threads.net/@rasha_kelej">@Rasha_Kelej</a>

&nbsp;

Watch More Than a Mother Animation Film here:

Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on marking the 10th anniversary of the “More Than a Mother” Movement

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Image 2 -Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO with the First Ladies of Africa and Asia during the MFFLI SUMMIT 2025(1).jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;"> 
Merck Foundation Chairman, CEO, and 14 First Ladies inaugurate the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative - MFFLI Summit in Dubai 2025

I am happy to share about the the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Committee (MFFLI) that was conducted on the Day 2 of the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative - MFFLI Summit, which was was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative along with The First Ladies of 14 African and Asian countries, who joined as the Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers.

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/WhatsApp Image 2025-06-19 at 11_27_08 PM(3).jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 399px;">

We conducted the Merck Foundation Africa First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Committee Meeting alongside our Merck Foundation Chairman and my dear sisters, the First Ladies of African and Asian, who are also our Ambassadors of the ‘Merck Foundation More Than a Mother’ campaign. 

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/WhatsApp Image 2025-06-19 at 11_27_07 PM (1)(3).jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 324px;">

Together, we reviewed the impact of our programs and outlined our 2026 strategy to build and strengthen healthcare &amp; media capacity and address critical social and health issues including Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Ending Child Marriage and FGM, Stopping GBV, Empowering Women, and raising awareness about health concerns such as Diabetes and Hypertension.

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/WhatsApp Image 2025-06-19 at 11_27_06 PM (1).jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 399px;">

I am proud to share that Merck Foundation has provided more than 2270 scholarships to young doctors from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties. 

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/MFFLI 2025 (3)(1).jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 326px;">

During the Merck Foundation Africa First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Committee Meeting, the First Ladies shared the impact of their partnership journey with Merck Foundation.

Please watch here the video of the Merck Foundation Africa First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Committee Meeting. 

<div class="videoEmbed" style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G2YlJgkagNQ" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="560"></iframe></div>

&nbsp;

Kind Regards 
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej 
CEO of Merck Foundation 
President of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI)

<img alt="img" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/media/PhotoGallary/1751010382_032f08b1ed3a28b2078d.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;">

<img alt="img" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/media/PhotoGallary/1751010420_e34c67d5727d78037f23.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;">

<img alt="img" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/media/PhotoGallary/1751009954_05e9239498b597de5a11.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;">

<img alt="img" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/media/PhotoGallary/1750400994_fba38d99f39d3589eed4.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 365px;">

<img alt="img" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/media/PhotoGallary/1750401035_d258b062e2c8f60a5b81.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 364px;">

<img alt="img" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/media/PhotoGallary/1750400972_880c46352cfeb7538a1d.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 360px;">

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

To know more about Senator, Rasha Kelej’s journey, follow on Social Media 
&nbsp;

<img height="40" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/FB(25).png" width="40">&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/KelejRasha/">@KelejRasha</a>

<img height="40" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Instagram(22).png" width="40">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/rasha_kelej/">Rasha_Kelej</a>

&nbsp;<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Webp_net-resizeimage (8)(23).png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Rasha_Kelej">@Rasha_Kelej</a>

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/twitter-x-logo(2).png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;">&nbsp; <a href="https://twitter.com/Rashakelej">Rasha Kelej</a>

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Flicker(12).png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;">&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rashakelej/">Rasha Kelej</a>

&nbsp;&nbsp;<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Threads Black Logo.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"><a href="https://www.threads.net/@rasha_kelej">@Rasha_Kelej</a>

Watch video of the MFFLI Committee Meeting

Message from CEO of Merck Foundation, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, about the MFFLI Committee Meeting held with First Ladies of Africa and Asia call for action to build healthcare and Media capacity, Break Infertility Stigma and Support Girl Education

The article is available on my Mentorship and Leadership Platform, through Substack, please visit the link below.

Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation on Creating One of the Most Sustainable Ways to Transform Cancer Care in Africa

<img alt="" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/media/CKfinder/2026/09/Main_Image_Dr_Rasha_Kelej_during_her_visit_to_Ugan_1788917379_556945ba.jpeg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;"> 
Dr. Rasha Kelej during her visit in Uganda

In my leadership articles, I often write about the different layers that have shaped the way I lead: going beyond what is expected, looking beneath the surface of a problem, continuously fine-tuning, and understanding that sustainable change rarely comes from one intervention alone.

Perhaps one of the strongest examples of this philosophy is my journey with Merck Foundation’s “More Than a Mother” movement and why I created it.

When I look back at this journey, I realize that we were never simply providing scholarships to fertility specialists and embryologists. We were trying to change an entire environment around infertility.

For me, leadership meant looking at the problem from every direction. If there were no trained specialists, we had to build medical capacity. If stigma prevented women and couples from seeking care, we had to change perceptions. If misinformation was being reinforced through public narratives, we had to engage and train the media. If deeply rooted cultural or religious beliefs created resistance, we had to enter those conversations respectfully. And if conventional health communication could not reach everyone, we had to engage artists and creative communities to help carry the message.

I went personally to communities, including rural areas, across countries such as Burundi, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Liberia, The Gambia, Guinea Conakry, Chad, Niger and the Central African Republic. I listened to women, couples, doctors, community and religious leaders. I saw first-hand the stigma surrounding infertility and, particularly, the enormous burden placed on women.

At the same time, through Merck Foundation, we supported the specialized training of the first local fertility specialists and embryologists from both the public and private sectors in many countries that never had a single local specialists before our intervention.&nbsp; We provided more than 800 scholarships for healthcare providers from 42 countries as part of “ more than a Mother” movement only.

<img alt="" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/media/CKfinder/2026/09/Dr_Rasha_Kelej_with_infertile_women_in_The_Gambia_1788917400_5dc0b84a.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;"> 
Dr. Rasha Kelej during her visit in Gambia

This distinction has always been important to me. My objective was never to determine where a trained doctor should eventually practise. My objective was to build local expertise so that women and couples could have access to quality fertility and reproductive care in their own countries—through public hospitals, private centres and academic institutions—and so that this expertise could be sustained over time.

But training doctors alone was never going to be enough.

We also had to address the stigma that prevented couples from seeking help, the misconceptions that placed responsibility for infertility almost entirely on women, and the cultural or religious resistance to fertility treatment that I personally encountered in some communities.

This required going far beyond the healthcare system. Therefore , it was very critical to partner with Africa’s First Ladies , to be the Ambassdors&nbsp; of this string historic movement so they can influence their communities and create a culture shift.

We provided together with local media societies,&nbsp; health media training to journalists and media professionals so that infertility could be discussed accurately, sensitively and responsibly, and so that the media could become part of the solution rather than unintentionally reinforcing stigma.

<img alt="" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/media/CKfinder/2026/09/Dr_Rasha_Kelej_during_her_visit_to_Uganda_1788917415_2832fa20.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px;"> 

We also launched annual media and creative awards to encourage journalists, filmmakers, fashion designers, musicians, singers and other artists to use their influence and creativity to address infertility stigma and other critical health and social issues. Through articles, films, songs, fashion, storytelling and other forms of creative expression, we wanted these messages to reach people in ways that medical conferences alone never could.

As I mentioned earlier , we engaged First Ladies, Ministries, healthcare professionals, media, artists, religious and community leaders because changing such deeply rooted perceptions requires many voices working toward the same goal.

This is why I consider what we have achieved to be much more than a medical training program. We helped build an ecosystem: developing local medical expertise while simultaneously working to create the social understanding and acceptance necessary for people to actually seek and benefit from that expertise.

<img alt="" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/media/CKfinder/2026/09/Senator_Dr_Rasha_Kelej_during_her_visit_to_Uganda__1788917653_3085ee16.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 399px;">

My vision was simple from the beginning: no woman should be blamed for infertility, and no couple should be denied the possibility of appropriate care simply because specialized expertise does not exist in their country.

Access should not depend on geography, social status or the ability to travel abroad to seek fertility care.

It should exist locally, sustainably and at every appropriate level of the healthcare system.

And access is not only about having a trained doctor or a fertility centre. True access exists when the expertise is available, the community understands that infertility is a medical condition, women are no longer blamed, and couples feel able to seek care without shame or stigma.

<img alt="" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/media/CKfinder/2026/09/Senator_Dr_Rasha_Kelej_during_her_visit_to_Uganda__1788917673_4e5b0903.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 399px;">

Perhaps this is also one of the most important lessons this journey has taught me about leadership:&nbsp;lasting change rarely comes from solving only the problem you can see. A leader must identify—and then work on—the many layers surrounding it.

<img alt="" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/media/CKfinder/2026/09/Senator_Dr_Rasha_Kelej_with_a_group_of_infertile_w_1788917691_b4d29bbd.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 399px;"> 
Dr. Rasha Kelej during her visit in CAR

&nbsp;

To read all the&nbsp;articles and access the platform, please visit:

<a href="https://rashakelej.substack.com/p/leadership-beyond-the-obvious-how" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline">https://rashakelej.substack.com/p/leadership-beyond-the-obvious-how</a>

Kind Regards,

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), 
CEO of Merck Foundation 
President of “More Than A Mother”

To know more about Senator, Rasha Kelej’s journey, follow on Social Media 
&nbsp;

<img height="40" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/FB(25).png" width="40">&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/KelejRasha/">@KelejRasha</a>

<img height="40" src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Instagram(22).png" width="40">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/rasha_kelej/">Rasha_Kelej</a>

&nbsp;<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Webp_net-resizeimage (8)(23).png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Rasha_Kelej">@Rasha_Kelej</a>

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/twitter-x-logo(2).png">&nbsp; <a href="https://twitter.com/Rashakelej">Rasha Kelej</a>

<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Flicker(12).png">&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rashakelej/">Rasha Kelej</a>

&nbsp;&nbsp;<img src="https://merck-foundation.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Threads Black Logo.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"><a href="https://www.threads.net/@rasha_kelej">@Rasha_Kelej</a>

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Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation on Her Leadership Beyond the Obvious: How She Worked to Transform Fertility Care and Break Infertility Stigma

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Save the Date - Capacity Advancement Scientific Session Register Now

Save the Date - Diabetes & Hypertension Scientific Session Register Now

Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards 2026 “Diabetes & Hypertension

Merck Foundation Film Awards 2026 “Diabetes & Hypertension

Merck Foundation Fashion Awards 2026 Diabetes & Hypertension

Merck Foundation Song Awards 2026 Diabetes & Hypertension

Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards 2026 “More Than a Mother”

Merck Foundation FASHION AWARDS 2026 “More Than a Mother”

Merck Foundation FILM AWARDS 2026 “More Than a Mother”

Merck Foundation SONG Awards 2026 “More Than a Mother” 

Call for Applications-Merck Foundation Scholarships-In Campus | 2026

Call for Application - Online Schlarships

<h2 class="section-title pr-0 sidebar-title" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;border-left:2px solid rgb(75, 78, 83);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(75, 78, 83);font-family:times-new-roman;font-size:20px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:300;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:25px;margin:0px;orphans:2;padding:0px 20px !important;position:relative;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">Upcoming Programs &amp; Call for Applications</h2>

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation

CEO of Merck Foundation

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej

H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, The First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe

The First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe

H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA

H.E. Mrs. MUTINTA HICHILEMA, The First Lady of Republic of Zambia

The First Lady of Republic of Zambia

H.E. Mrs. MUTINTA HICHILEMA

H.E. Dr. FATIMA MAADA BIO, The First Lady of Republic of Sierra Leone

The First Lady of Republic of Sierra Leone

H.E. Dr. FATIMA MAADA BIO

H.E. Madam MARIE KHONE FAYE, – First Lady of the Republic of Senegal

First Lady of the Republic of Senegal

H.E. Madam MARIE KHONE FAYE

H.E. Mrs. MARIA DE FATIMA VILA NOVA, The First Lady of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe

The First Lady of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe

H.E. Mrs. MARIA DE FATIMA VILA NOVA

H.E. Senator OLUREMI TINUBU, CON, First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

H.E. Senator OLUREMI TINUBU, CON

H.E. Dr. GUETA SELEMANE CHAPO, First Lady of the Republic of Mozambique

First Lady of the Republic of Mozambique

H.E. Dr. GUETA SELEMANE CHAPO

H.E. Madam SAJIDHA MOHAMED, The First Lady of the Republic of Maldives

The First Lady of the Republic of Maldives

H.E. Madam SAJIDHA MOHAMED

H.E. PROFESSOR GERTRUDE MUTHARIKA, The Former First Lady of Republic of Malawi

The Former First Lady of Republic of Malawi

H.E. PROFESSOR GERTRUDE MUTHARIKA

H.E. Mrs. KARTUMU YARTA BOAKAI, The First Lady of the Republic of Liberia

The First Lady of the Republic of Liberia

H.E. Mrs. KARTUMU YARTA BOAKAI

H.E. Mrs. RACHEL RUTO,  First Lady of the Republic of Kenya

First Lady of the Republic of Kenya

H.E. Mrs. RACHEL RUTO

<h2 class="section-title pr-0 sidebar-title" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;border-left:2px solid rgb(75, 78, 83);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(75, 78, 83);font-family:times-new-roman;font-size:20px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:300;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:25px;margin:0px;orphans:2;padding:0px 20px !important;position:relative;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">Merck Foundation More Than A Mother ambassadors</h2>

Merck Foundation

Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary

Merck Foundation More Than a Mother Movement

Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary

Merck Foundation Cancer Access Program

Merck Foundation Cancer Access Program

Merck Foundation Capacity Advancement Program

Merck Foundation STEM Program

Merck Foundation Educating Linda Program

Merck Foundation Nationwide Diabetes & Hypertension Blue Points Program

Our Programs

<p>Merck Foundation Cancer Access Program</p>

Impact of Merck Foundation Programs (as of September 2026)

Hear Our Stories

Our Awards (Apply Now)

Merck Foundation MEDIA RECOGNITION AWARDS “More Than a Mother”

Merck Foundation FILM AWARDS “More Than a Mother”

Merck Foundation FASHION AWARDS “More Than a Mother”

Merck Foundation SONG Awards “More Than a Mother”

Merck Foundation MEDIA RECOGNITION AWARDS “Diabetes & Hypertension”

Merck Foundation FILM AWARDS “Diabetes & Hypertension”

Merck Foundation SONG AWARDS “Diabetes & Hypertension”

Merck Foundation FASHION AWARDS “Diabetes & Hypertension”

Other Awards

Merck Foundation MEDIA RECOGNITION AWARDS “More Than a Mother”

Merck Foundation FILM AWARDS “More Than a Mother”

Merck Foundation FASHION AWARDS “More Than a Mother”

Merck Foundation SONG Awards “More Than a Mother”

Merck Foundation MEDIA RECOGNITION AWARDS “Diabetes & Hypertension”

Merck Foundation FILM AWARDS “Diabetes & Hypertension”

Merck Foundation SONG AWARDS “Diabetes & Hypertension”

Merck Foundation FASHION AWARDS “Diabetes & Hypertension”

Other Awards

Upcoming Programs & Call for Applications

Merck Foundation More Than A Mother ambassadors

Digital Library

Merck Foundation Presents Our Africa by Merck Foundation (TV Program)

Our Articles

Merck Foundation in Media

Testimonials of Merck Foundation Alumni