Merck Foundation’s pan-African TV program “Our Africa” addresses Social and Health issues through the ‘Fashion and Art community with Purpose’ Community created by Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation.

Merck Foundation emphasizes the importance of Art and Media communities as critical partners to raise awareness about sensitive health and social issues through their “OUR AFRICA” TV program and Fashion, Film, and Song awards to mark “World Art Day 2023”.

Senator Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation during Episode 10 of Our Africa TV show
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation during Episode 10 of Our Africa TV show. Photo Credit: Merck Foundation.

Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany marks World Art Day 2023 through their African Community of Art and Fashion with Purpose. This pan-African community has been established by Merck Foundation CEO to raise awareness on sensitive health and social issues in Africa and beyond through their pan-African TV program “Our Africa” which has been broadcasted on prime TV stations of many countries like KTV in Kenya, NTV in Uganda, and GH One TV in Ghana and ZNBC in Zambia, AYV in Sierra Leone and LTV, Liberia, and it immediately captured the attention and hearts of millions of viewers across Africa.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and One of 100 Most Influential Africans 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022 said, “I am very happy to be celebrating the ‘World Art Day 2023’, as I strongly believe that Media, Art, and Fashion play a very significant role in raising awareness on social and health issues and shaping the future development of our communities. Art and fashion have a purpose much beyond entertainment and looking good.

They can contribute to sensitizing communities about different social and health issues like Ending Child marriage, Ending FGM, Stopping GBV, Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education and Women Empowerment, and raising awareness about diabetes and hypertension, and more. Hence, we engage with Art communities through many of our initiatives and programs like our TV program “Our Africa” and Fashion, Film, and Song Awards, Children’s Storybooks, Songs, and more.”

UNESCO celebrates World Art Day to help reinforce the links between artistic creations and society, encourage greater awareness of the diversity of artistic expressions, and highlight the contribution of artists towards the sustainable development of society.

“Art in Africa has a rich cultural legacy and history, we at Merck Foundation want to encourage the youth in the continent to make use of various forms of Art to create an impact and awareness on critical and sensitive social and health issues. With this thought, we have launched – ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’ TV Program to be the voice of the voiceless in Africa.

This TV program aims to break the silence about many social & health issues in our beloved Africa. Our aim with this TV program is to create a culture shift in the communities by focusing on relevant and important social and health issues in Africa.”, added Senator, Dr. Rasha.       

Watch the Promo of the Program here: https://apo-opa.info/3GITwRe

Merck Foundation together with their partners, the African First Ladies, have launched 8 Children’s storybooks with interesting graphics to address key social issues such as ending child marriage, stopping GBV, supporting girl education, breaking the Infertility stigma, diabetes awareness, etc. The storybooks are Sugar-Free Jude, Mark’s Pressure, Jackline’s Rescue, Ride into the Future, Not Who You Are, Educating Linda, and David’s Story.

“We have collaborated with cartoon artists from various African countries to come up with these children’s storybooks for our young readers and we will transfer them into animation”, explained Dr. Rasha.

Merck Foundation has also launched over 30 songs on breaking infertility stigma, supporting girls’ education, and women empowerment, in English, French, and Portuguese language.

Senator, Dr. Rasha emphasized, “Music is a great medium to take the important and sensitive messages to the community. I have Produced and directed songs with local artists to address the cultural perception of infertility and how to change it. More than 30 songs have been created in English, French, Portuguese, and local languages in countries such as Sierra Leone, Kenya, Zambia, Ghana, Burundi, Rwanda, Gambia, Malawi, Liberia, Mozambique, and Uganda. We are proud that we have special songs created, composed, and sung by The President of Liberia, H.E. Mr. GEORGE WEAH, and ITEKA Lucky Louange (Lucky-Lou), the daughter of The President of Burundi, H.E. Mr. EVARISTE NDAYISHMIYE & H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHMIYE for our More Than a Mother campaign to break the stigma around infertility and infertile women in particular.”

To listen to the Merck Foundation songs and read the Merck Foundation storybooks, please visit: https://apo-opa.info/3KRLMiD

Merck Foundation CEO in partnership with African First Ladies has also announced the Call for applications for their 8 important awards for Media, Musicians, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, students, and new potential talents in these fields.

Details of the Awards:

The awards announced are:

1. Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards “More Than a Mother” 2023

Media representatives and media students are invited to showcase their work to raise awareness about one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels.

Click here (https://apo-opa.info/3LTfHri) to view more details.

2. Merck Foundation Film Awards “More Than a Mother” 2023

All African Filmmakers, Students of Film Making Training Institutions, or Young Talents of Africa are invited to create and share long or short FILMS, either drama, documentary, or docudrama to deliver strong and influential messages to address one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels.

Click here(https://apo-opa.info/41v5mGS)to view more details.

3. Merck Foundation Fashion Awards “More Than a Mother” 2023

All African Fashion Students and Designers are invited to create and share designs to deliver strong and influential messages to raise awareness about one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels.

Click here (https://apo-opa.info/3msue3b) to view more details.

4. Merck Foundation Song Awards “More Than a Mother” 2023

All African Singers and Musical Artists are invited to create and share a SONG with the aim to address one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels.

Click here (https://apo-opa.info/3KXTEii) to view more details.

Submission deadline for Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Awards:
30th September 2023.

5. Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards 2023 “Diabetes & Hypertension”

Media representatives are invited to showcase their work through strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Click here (https://apo-opa.info/40yUJTn) to view more details.

6. Merck Foundation Film Awards 2023 “Diabetes & Hypertension”

All African Filmmakers, Students of Film Making Training Institutions, or Young Talents of Africa are invited to create and share long or short FILMS, either drama, documentary, or docudrama to deliver strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle to raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Click here(https://apo-opa.info/43c8poX) to view more details.

7. Merck Foundation Fashion Awards 2023 “Diabetes & Hypertension”

All African Fashion Students and Designers are invited to create and share designs to deliver strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Click here (https://apo-opa.info/41dRh0l) to view more details.

8. Merck Foundation Song Awards 2023 “Diabetes & Hypertension”

All African Singers and Musical Artists are invited to create and share a SONG with the aim to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Click here (https://apo-opa.info/3KDU38v) to view more details.

Submission deadline for Merck Foundation “Diabetes & Hypertension” Awards: 30th October 2023.

All entries are to be submitted to submit@merck-foundation.com

About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, which aims to improve the health and well-being of people and advance their lives through science and technology.

Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity, and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth.