BusinessWire India
Bujumbura [Burundi]/ Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 18: Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany together with Africa's First Ladies who are also their Ambassadors, Ministries of Health, Education, Communication & Gender, mark 'International Women's Day 2024', by scaling up "Educating Linda" program which is the twin program of "More Than a Mother" Campaign, in Africa.
Senator, Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and One of the Most Influential African Women for five consecutive years (2019 - 2023) expressed, "Happy Women's Day to all the women in the world, who are breaking barriers and fighting societal norms and to the men who support and empower them to be their best.
I recognize the immense potential of women to thrive, succeed and excel in any domain they choose, yet they often lack the conducive environment to fully realize their capabilities, especially in underserved communities. Therefore, I strongly believe that Education is one of the most critical areas of women empowerment. Together with our Ambassadors, The First Ladies of Africa, we mark International Women's Day every day by contributing to the future of brilliant but underprivileged young African girls, as a part of our "Educating Linda" program."
Merck Foundation's "Educating Linda" is a pan-African program that is tailored for each country to contribute to the future of young African girls who are brilliant but underprivileged. The spirit of the project is to provide an opportunity to such girls to pursue their dreams and reach their potential through access to education.
"I am very proud to share that till today together with our Ambassadors, The First Ladies of Africa, we have contributed to the future of 425 girls by providing scholarships to continue their education and also providing essential school items for thousands of schoolgirls in many African countries such as Burundi, Malawi, Ghana, The Gambia, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Namibia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger and more.
Moreover, we have benefitted 1000's of girls through our awareness campaign which includes releasing many inspiring children's storybooks, animation films and songs to support Girl education today for women empowerment tomorrow," emphasized Senator Rasha Kelej.
Through their "Our Africa" TV program, Merck Foundation has emphasized on the importance of supporting girl education through many episodes and has dedicated 3 episodes out of the 15 episodes to it. The pan African TV program is conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation. The TV program has been broadcasted on National TV Stations of many countries like Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Burundi and more.
Watch the Episodes of "Our Africa by Merck Foundation" TV program on Supporting Girl Education:
Episode 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5wpzOr22l0
Episode 11: https://youtu.be/jGz6yNSik7g
Episode 14: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjf0w8viQn4
Merck Foundation in partnership with African First Ladies has also announced the new edition of their annual awards for Media, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers and Musicians/ Singers to participate in order to raise awareness through their creative work to Support Girl Education and address other critical social issues like Breaking Infertility Stigma, Ending Child Marriage, End FGM, Stopping GBV, Women Empowerment at all levels.
"I invite all African talents to apply for these awards at submit@merck-foundation.com," said Dr Kelej.
Listen to Merck Foundation song about Supporting Girl Education here:
1. Watch, share & subscribe to the "Girl Can" song here, sung by two famous singers, Irene and Cwezi from Liberia and Ghana respectively: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LP92vAWYgs
2. Watch, share & subscribe the "Like Them" song here, sung by Kenneth, a famous singer from Uganda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCo52vtz3Q0
3. Watch, share & subscribe "Take me to School" song here, sung by Wezi, Afro-soul singer from Zambia, to support girls' education: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWcujLMbKSg
4. Watch share & subscribe "Tu Podes Sim" Portuguese song, which means "Yes, You Can" in English by Blaze and Tamyris Moiane, singers from Mozambique in English here: https://youtu.be/BGWR2S-mxl4
5. Watch, share & subscribe "Brighter day" song by Sean K and Cwesi Oteng from Namibia and Ghana respectively: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3_C4uyFuZk

Watch Merck Foundation's Animation Film, Ride into the Future:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXuoXZVtNr8

Read the Merck Foundation storybook addressing the importance of Girl Education:
1. To read Educating Linda Storybook, please visit: https://merck-foundation.com/merckfoundation/public/uploads/digital_library/1623068469_6affa28d861b48da41cf.pdf
2. To read Jackline's Rescue Storybook, please visit: https://merck-foundation.com/merckfoundation/public/uploads/digital_library/1639990408_efbd2346fb16c605c12d.pdf
3. To read Ride into the Future Storybook, please visit: https://merck-foundation.com/merckfoundation/public/uploads/digital_library/1639993429_cca7a831eeb6dbe2c188.pdf
4. To read Not Who You Are Storybook, please visit: https://merck-foundation.com/merckfoundation/public/uploads/digital_library/1639992445_87746fd4b1fd877162a7.pdf
Click on the link below to Download Merck Foundation App
https://www.merck-foundation.com/MF_StoreRedirection
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