Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, President of “More Than a Mother” Campaign and H.E. Mrs. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of Botswana, also the Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” launches Educating Linda Program in Botswana
Merck Foundation officially launched their programs in partnership with H.E. Mrs. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of Botswana, also the Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”, the programs which started in 2018 with the aim to transform patient care, build healthcare capacity, break the stigma of infertility, empower women, support girl education, stop GBV in Botswana and the rest of Africa. The program took place in esteemed presence of The President of the Republic of Botswana, H.E. Dr. MOKGWEETSI ERIC KEABETSWE MASISI, The First Lady of Botswana, H.E. Mrs. NEO JANE MASISI, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp and myself. During the launch program, Merck Foundation’s Educating Linda program was also launched to support girl education in Botswana. 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 happy for successful official launch of our programs with my dear sister, H.E. Mrs. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of Botswana and Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”, the programs that we started in 2018. It makes me proud to share that together with The First Lady of Botswana and their Ministry of Education, we are contributing to the future of brilliant but underprivileged young girls in Botswana, as a part of our ‘Educating Linda’ program. We are supporting the education of 40 deserving schoolgirls. 20 girls have been supported through the scholarship till they graduate, and 20 bicycles have been provided to the girls to encourage them to continue going to the school, as they sometimes dropout due to long distance commute.
Till today, Merck Foundation has supported girl education through their “Educating Linda” program by providing 625 scholarships and thousands of school items to schoolgirls in many African countries including Botswana, Burundi, Malawi, Ghana, The Gambia, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Namibia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger and more. Merck Foundation has also benefitted 1000’s of girls through their awareness campaign which includes releasing many inspiring children’s storybooks, animation films and songs to support girl education.
Merck Foundation has also provided 20 Sewing Machines to the women groups who suffer GBV (Gender Based Violence) across Botswana to be able to generate monthly income through the home micro project to generate income. This helps to improve their livelihoods, and for their family and community at large, who suffer discrimination or domestic violence due to the social stigma, with the aim to become independent as productive members in society.
Moreover, 3 episodes out of the 15 episodes of Merck Foundation “Our Africa” TV program, which is conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, highlight the importance of supporting girl education. The TV program has been broadcasted on BTV in Botswana and other National TV Stations of many other African countries like Kenya, Ghana, Liberia, Burundi and more.
Furthermore, Merck Foundation also launched Animation Film, Ride into the Future, an adaptation of children’s storybook
I firmly believe that educating girls empower their countries, making them more powerful, stronger, and prosperous. Unfortunately, many bright girls drop out of school due to the lack of basic necessities such as fees, uniforms, or transportation.
Girl Education today for Women Empowerment tomorrow. Read more about the launch Program in Botswana here.
Kind Regards,
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej,
CEO of Merck Foundation
President of “More Than a Mother” Campaign