I am very happy to mark the ‘World Art Day 2024’, as I firmly believe that Art, Fashion and Media play a very significant role in raising awareness and address critical social and health issues thus bringing a culture shift in our communities. I have always said that Art and fashion have a purpose much beyond entertainment and looking good. With this thought, we came up with our first-ever Pan African TV program “Our Africa by Merck Foundation” which discusses and addresses various social and health issues relevant to Africa in a very unique way through our African Community of Fashion and Art with Purpose. Through this first-of-its-kind interactive Tv show, we are addressing and raising awareness about a wide range of issues like Ending Child marriage, Ending FGM, Stopping GBV, Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education and Women Empowerment and Diabetes and Hypertension Awareness and more.
Watch the Promo of the Program here:
It is very well known that in Africa, Art has a very rich cultural legacy and history. Hence, we launch these awards annually, with my dear sisters, the African First Ladies who are also the Ambassadors of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother”. Through our Awards, we aim to inspire the continent’s youth to use their talents to address our important and critical social and health issues, by raising awareness through their creative work at all levels. Music and Art can influence us to make the problem felt, which further stimulates emotions and leads to engagement and action. Music has the power to touch the hearts and souls of people, bind communities, and bring about a cultural shift in society. Music and Art can influence us to make the problem felt, which further stimulates emotions and leads to engagement and action. Music has the power to touch the hearts and souls of people, bind communities, and bring about a cultural shift in society.
To listen to the Merck Foundation songs and read the Merck Foundation storybooks, please visit here:
Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Ladies of Africa has also launched 8 Children’s Storybooks in English, French, Portuguese. We have created 4 Animation Films in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish language to instill early awareness of social and health matters, fostering empathy, understanding, and informed decision-making in young minds, we focused on Diabetes and Hypertension awareness through “Sugar Free Jude” and “Mark’s Pressure”, and the other two films are about supporting girl education “Jackline’s Rescue” and “Ride into the Future”. We aim to inspire our youth and children to lead a brighter, healthier future in our beautiful continent, Africa.
Watch “Sugar Free Jude” First Diabetes Awareness Animation Film, here:
We will continue to use Art as a medium, to bring positive changes in our communities, in unique ways.
Kind Regards
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej,
CEO of Merck Foundation
One of 100 Most Influential Africans (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023)
