Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and additionally an Executive Director of the track expressed, “We at Merck Foundation mark Girl Child Day every day through our continuous efforts with our partners, African First ladies to implement ‘Educating Linda’ program in their countries, which is a part of our ‘More Than a Mother’ campaign. I strongly believe that an educated girl will lead a healthy life, save lives, build a stronger family, earn a better income, make informed choices, empower her community, lift her country and reduce inequalities. However, it has been seen that many girls drop out of the school due to many challenges such as: lack of necessities such as fees and uniforms. Therefore, as a part of ‘Educating Linda’ program, in partnership with the African First Ladies who are also the Ambassadors of Merck Foundation ‘More Than a Mother’ campaign we have contributed to the future of 1000’s of girls by providing with scholarships and essential school items in many African countries.”
“Moreover, I am very happy and excited to share that to mark this important day, H.E. CLAR MARIE WEAH, The First Lady of Liberia, also the Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother, distributed essential school items to over 450 school-going girls in Liberia. The items were provided by Merck Foundation as a part of our Educating Linda project. More will be distributed in the near future, moreover we will provide scholarships to 20 unprivileged but brilliant Liberian girls to continue their school education.” added Senator Rasha Kelej.
As an element of Educating Linda Program, Merck Foundation in partnership with the African First Ladies has offered scholarships for younger ladies in many international locations like Burundi, Central African Republic, DRC, Ghana, The Gambia, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Merck Foundation has additionally offered 3,000 units of important college objects for ladies’ colleges in many international locations like Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, and Zambia. Each of the recipients will get a set containing 1 Ruler, 3 Pencils, 2 Erasers, 1 Sharpener, 1 Pen, 6 Color Pencils, 1 Triangular Ruler, 1 Protractor, and 1 Fabric Bag.
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej additional emphasised, “In partnership with the African First Ladies, we’ve got been constructing healthcare capability via offering coaching to healthcare suppliers in many medical specialties. More than 1470 medical graduates have benefitted from this program to this point. I’m very proud that out of these over 650 are feminine medical graduates. This is near 50% of the whole beneficiaries, which is a good milestone for us.
Moreover, we’ve got emphasised on the significance of supporting lady education via “Our Africa by Merck Foundation”, a pan-African Tv program broadcasting throughout the continent and out there on our social media.”
Merck Foundation has additionally introduced the MARS Awards to understand and acknowledge ‘Best African Women Researchers’ and ‘Best Young African Researcher’. The intention is to empower ladies and younger African researchers, advance their analysis capability and promote their contribution to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
Moreover, Merck Foundation has launched many inspiring youngsters’s storybooks and songs for supporting ladies’ education.
1. Watch, share & subscribe the “Like Them” track right here, sung by Kenneth, a well-known singer from Uganda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCo52vtz3Q0
2. Watch, share & subscribe “Take me to School” track right here, sung by Wezi, Afro-soul singer from Zambia, to support ladies’ education: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWcujLMbKSg
3. Watch share & subscribe “Tu Podes Sim” Portuguese track, which suggests “Yes, You Can” in English by Blaze and Tamyris Moiane, singers from Mozambique in English right here: https://youtu.be/BGWR2S-mxl4
4. Watch, share & subscribe “ABC, 123” by Sean Ok from Namibia track right here: https://youtu.be/4Z2i4Wh-bpk
5. Watch, share & subscribe the “Girl Can” track right here, sung by two well-known singers, Irene and Cwezi from Liberia and Ghana respectively: https://youtu.be/6LP92vAWYgs
6. Read Jackline’s Rescue Storybook right here:
https://merck-foundation.com/merckfoundation/digital_library.pdf
7. Read Educating Linda Storybook, right here:
https://merck-foundation.com/merckfoundation/digital_library.pdf
8. Read Ride Into The Future right here:
https://merck-foundation.com/merckfoundation/digital_library.pdf