Merck Foundation - Afrikan Heroes

Merck Foundation CEO Launches “I CAN – Mentorship Program” Across Africa

July 20, 2021

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation

The CEO of Merck Foundation, Senator Rasha Kelej has launched a new and innovative programme aimed at helping young mentees reach their true potential, fulfill their dreams, inspire others and transform under pressure. Merck Foundation, which is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, announced the beginning of a new mentoring program “I CAN – Mentorship Program” across Africa, Asia and Latin America as part of her personal contribution to empower women and youth in the global south.

The program, which is open to Merck Foundation Alumni, including journalists and healthcare providers, will be an interactive program with Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej where she will lend her 27 years of knowledge and experience to support and guide aspiring individuals to unleash their hidden potential and achieve their professional & personal goals. The aim of the program is to help the mentees reach their potential, fulfill their dreams, inspire others and transform under pressure. The last date of applying for the program is 30th July 2021.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation expressed, “I am very excited to introduce our mentorship program that will support and guide our Merck Foundation Alumni in their career and personal life too. This past year has been especially challenging for all and has affected our personal growth and development. Through “I CAN – Mentorship Program” I would like to lead the selected Alumni to explore their potential and try to achieve their dreams by overcoming challenges and find solutions and never give up, just to share my experience of doing the same, during my 27-year journey to success”.

This mentorship program will allow the selected mentees to connect with Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej in person to benefit from her experience and knowledge with the aim to achieve their professional & personal goals.

“I look forward to the success of this program which is launched with the aim to encourage and empower our young Alumni in this ever-evolving and competitive environment”, added Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej.

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej has 27 years of experience in the international biotechnology industry and Sustainable development. She is the first African woman to be CEO of Merck Foundation and has been recognized as One of the 100 Most Influential Africans (2019, 2020) and also the African Woman of the Year 2020. She has been appointed by The President of The Arab Republic of Egypt as Senator at The Egyptian Senate (2020 – 2025) and plays an important role to advise with regards to African Health, Economic and Social Sustainable Development and collaboration opportunities.

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej will select 20 applicants to be enrolled for this program based on the evaluation of their applications and their needs. This program is a personal contribution from Dr. Rasha Kelej which does not entail a reward or a job opportunity within the organization.

“I look forward to getting to know our Alumni more closely. I am very excited about this incredible opportunity to meet young enthusiastic talents from across three continents”, added Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

Merck Foundation Calls for Applications for “Merck More than a Mother” Media Recognition Awards and Fashion Awards to break infertility stigma

July 24, 2019

Merck Foundation the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany organized their first “Merck Foundation Health Media Training” in Lilongwe, Malawi in partnership with H.E. PROF. GERTRUDE MUTHARIKA, The First Lady of Malawi and Ambassador of Merck More Than a Mother together with Ministry of Health and Ministry of Information to break the stigma around infertility in Malawi and rest of Africa.

Merck Foundation also announced the Call for Application of “Merck More Than a Mother” Fashion Awards from Malawi and rest of Africa.

“All Fashion Designers are invited to create a design with the aim to deliver strong and influential messages to empower infertile women and say “No to Infertility Stigma”. Designs ideas can also deliver messages to encourage men to speak openly about their infertility because 50% of infertility causes are due to male factor”, explained Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck More Than a Mother.

Talking about the Health Media Training program Dr. Rasha Kelejexplained, “This program is a part of ‘Merck More than a Mother’ community awareness Program and was organized for the first time in Malawi for local media representatives and media students”.

According to the First Lady of Malawi, H.E. PROF. GERTRUDE MUTHARIKAemphasized, “We are happy to host this training program together with Merck Foundation. Media plays an important role in sensitizing our society. It can help in breaking the stigma around infertility.”

“It is important to initiate this important training program as I strongly believe that media has the capacity and ability to break the stigma around infertility in our communities in a regular and effective basis.” Dr. Rasha Kelejadded.

The training was addressed by The First Lady of Malawi, H.E. PROF. GERTRUDE MUTHARIKA, who is also the Ambassador of Merck More Than a Mother and Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck More Than a Mother and Hon. Mark Botomani, Minister of Information, Malawi. It was also addressed by the Ministry of Health Officials and stalwarts of Media.

Moreover, it provided a great opportunity for the journalists to meet the experts and also to network with each other and work as a unit to eradicate the stigma around infertility and its resulted domestic violence in Malawi and rest of Africa.

The program was attended by journalists working for Print, TV, Radio and Online media and journalism students.

“The Merck Health Media Training program focused on international standards and media ethics for reporting sensitive issues like infertility and other health issues in Africa. It was designed to benefit the journalists in understanding the infertility issues in African communities and to learn the best media practices to cover such issues” added Dr. Rasha Kelej.

Merck Foundation also announced the call for Application for “Merck More than a Mother” ‘Media Recognition Awards’ for Malawi and rest of Africa. The “Merck More than a Mother” ‘Media Recognition Awards’ were launched in 2017 with the aim to emphasize the role of media in enhancing the public engagement and understanding of infertility stigma and the need to change its social perception in African communities.

The applications are invited by media professionals to showcase their work to raise awareness about infertility prevention and breaking infertility stigma in Malawi.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry.

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Merck Foundation launches first ‘Merck Health Media Training’ in partnership with the First Lady of Guinea

July 3, 2019

Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany has organized their first “Merck Foundation Health Media Training” in Conakry, Guinea in partnership with H.E. Madam Djene Conde, The First Lady of Guinea and Ambassador of Merck’s “More Than a Mother” project, together with Ministry of Health and Ministry of Information and Communication to break the stigma around infertility in Guinea and rest of Africa.

Speaking on the program, the CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck More than a Mother Dr. Rasha Keleje, said that “the training program which is a part of ‘Merck More than a Mother’ community awareness Program and was organized for the first time in Guinea for local media representatives and media students”. In her contribution, the Guinean First Lady, Madam Djene Conde added that “we are happy to host this training program together with Merck Foundation”.

Highlighting the importance of the program, Dr. Kelej notes that “media plays an important role in sensitizing the society. It can help in breaking the stigma around infertility. I am delighted to initiate this important training session as I strongly believe that the media plays a significant role to influence our society to create a cultural shift. It has the capacity and ability to break the stigma around infertility in the community.” The training was addressed by The First Lady, Dr. Rasha Kelej, Hon. Amara Somparé, Minister of Information and Communication, Guinea. It was also addressed by stalwarts of media and top infertility experts.

Moreover, it provided a great opportunity for the journalists to meet the experts and also to network with each other and work as a unit to eradicate the stigma around infertility in Guinea and the rest of Africa. It was attended by journalists working for Print, TV, Radio and Online media and journalism students.

“The Merck Health Media Training program focused on international standards and media ethics for reporting sensitive issues like infertility in Africa. It was designed to benefit the journalists in understanding the infertility issues in African communities and to learn the best media practices to cover such issues” added Dr. Rasha Kelej.

Merck Foundation also announced Call for Application for “Merck More than a Mother” ‘Media Recognition Awards’ for Guinea and rest of Africa. The “Merck More than a Mother” ‘Media Recognition Awards’ were launched in 2017 with the aim to emphasize the role of media in enhancing the public engagement and understanding of infertility stigma and the need to change its social perception in African communities. The applications are invited by media professionals to showcase their work to raise awareness about infertility prevention and breaking infertility stigma in Guinea and the rest of Africa.

Who can apply? Journalists from print, online, radio and multimedia platforms from Guinea and rest of Africa. Last date of submission: Entries can be submitted till 30th October 2019.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry.