Messages

I have been an avid reader of Vogue, and being featured by Vogue India, for the second time, is an honour I receive with sincere appreciation. The latest feature, titled “Empowering Change: Dr. Rasha Kelej’s Vision for Women-Led Development,” reflects the breadth of work and sustained commitment of Merck Foundation towards advancing women-led development, supporting girls’ education, and empowering […]

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 “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” during the Merck Foundation Ghana Alumni Summit

I am proud to announce the winners of Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards 2023 “More Than a Mother” and “Diabetes and Hypertension”. We have 83 winners from 22 African countries in partnership with my dear sisters First Ladies of Africa and Ambassadors of “Merck Foundation More than a Mother”. The theme of “More Than a Mother” Awards was to

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

Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO, together with Gabon First Lady during their visit to Gabon. We officially launched our programs in partnership with H.E. Madam ZITA OLIGUI NGUEMA, First Lady of the Gabonese Republic, that we started in 2024 with the aim to transform patient care, build healthcare capacity, break the stigma of infertility, empower women,

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. 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.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej with the First Ladies of Liberia, Malawi, Burundi, The Gambia, Sao Tome, Botswana, Cabo Verde, Zimbabwe, and Ghana during the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2023 in India. The Merck Foundation First Ladies initiative – MFFLI committee was conducted on the 2nd day of the 10th Edition of “Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary” in India.

Merck Foundation CEO, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej with H.E. MR. DHARAMBEER GOKHOOL, The President of Mauritius. I am proud to share that we conducted the Fourth Edition of our “Merck Foundation Health Media Training” in partnership with the Ministry of Gender Equality & Family Welfare, Mauritius, co-chaired by myself and with Hon’ble Ms. Marie Arianne Navarre-Marie, Minister of Gender

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation & President of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative and H.E. Dr. ANA DIAS LOURENÇO, The First Lady of the Republic of Angola & Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” It was a pleasure welcoming and meeting my dear sister, H.E. Dr. ANA DIAS LOURENÇO, First Lady of

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation & President of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative and H.E. Senator OLUREMI TINUBU, CON, The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother,” at the th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative – MFFLI Summit 2025 It was an immense honor to welcome and