Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, and CEO of Merck Foundation, Dr. Rasha Kelej recognized The First Lady of Zimbabwe, H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA during Merck Foundation Zimbabwe Alumni Summit 2025
I am very proud to share that Merck Foundation conducted the Merck Foundation Zimbabwe Annual Summit and Awards Ceremony 2025 in Harere, Zimbabwe, chaired by The First Lady of Zimbabwe, H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, and myself.
It was a great honor to meet my dear sister, H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe and to recognize her for her tremendous efforts as the Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”. We celebratedour seven-year partnership journey and discussed our joint programs to build healthcare and media capacity, empower infertile women, and support girl education. Together, we reflected on our remarkable achievements and marked an important milestone of success and impact since 2018.
I am also very proud to share that we have transformed the patientcare landscape of Zimbabwe by providing 166 scholarships for the local doctors in 44 critical and underserved specialties such as Fertility, Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Respiratory, Acute Medicine, Sexual and Reproductive care, Embryology, Critical care, Psychiatry, and many more. This is a huge milestone and revolution in patient care across Zimbabwe.
Moreover, it was a pleasure to honor the Zimbabwean winnersofMerck Foundation Media Awards 2022–2024 and discuss with them the critical role they can play to create a culture shift, be the voice of the voiceless and be the Merck Foundation health and social champions.
In a very short time, together we have provided 166 scholarships for our young doctors in many specialties which are very critical for us. Moreover, together we are providing annual scholarships to support the education of 40 high-performing yet underprivileged schoolgirls, till they graduate, as a part of the Educating Linda Program. This is for the first time that we work on such an impactful program, it is history in the making.
Merck Foundation has provided more than 2500 scholarships for healthcare providers from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.
During the Summit, Merck Foundation Awards Ceremony was held, during which 13 Winners of the Merck Foundation Awards were acknowledged by Merck Foundation Chairman, Merck Foundation CEO together with Zimbabwe First Lady. Merck Foundation has so far celebrated more than 60 winners of the Media, Song, Film, and Fashion Awards, since 2017.
The beneficiaries of the Educating Linda program were also present at the Summit, where a few of them shared inspiring testimonies on how the scholarships have changed their lives. I really believe that when the girls are educated, their countries become more powerful, stronger & prosperous.
In partnership with The First Lady of Zimbabwe we have also launched eight children’s storybooks, “More Than a Mother”, ‘Educating Rujeko”, “Make the Right Choice”, “Jackline’s Rescue”, “Not Who You Are”, “Ride into the Future”, “Sugar free Jude” and “Mark’s Pressure”. These books address critical social and health issues to young children.Thousands of copies of these storybooks have been distributed to schoolchildren, several more are going to be distributed soon.
Moreover, Merck Foundation has conducted six editions of their Health Media Training for the Zimbabwean journalists in order to empower them to raise awareness about sensitive issues like breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education, stopping GBV, ending Child marriage and FGM and raise awareness about diabetes and hypertension prevention and early detection.
Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Lady of Zimbabwe has also announced the Call for Application for their 8 important Awards for Media, Musicians, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, students, and new potential talents in these fields. Entries can be submitted via email to:submit@merck-foundation.com
Kind Regards,
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.)
CEO of Merck Foundation