{"id":8507,"date":"2026-04-06T17:34:37","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T13:34:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507"},"modified":"2026-04-06T17:38:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T13:38:25","slug":"message-from-senator-dr-rasha-kelej-ceo-of-merck-foundation-on-meeting-the-first-lady-of-cabo-verde-at-the-7th-edition-of-merck-foundation-first-ladies-initiative-summit-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507","title":{"rendered":"Message from Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on Meeting The First Lady of Cabo Verde at the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8508\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em><strong>Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation &amp; President of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>H.E. Dr. D\u00c9BORA KATISA CARVALHO, The First Lady of Cabo Verde and Ambassador of Merck Foundation \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p><p>It was a pleasure welcoming and meeting my dear sister,\u00a0<strong>H.E. Dr. D\u00c9BORA KATISA CARVALHO, The First Lady of Cabo Verde and Ambassador of Merck Foundation \u201cMore Than a Mother<\/strong>,\u201d at the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025. The Summit was inaugurated by Prof.\u00a0<strong>Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation &amp; President of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative, and H.E. Dr. D\u00c9BORA KATISA CARVALHO<\/strong>, along with the\u00a0<strong>First Ladies of Angola, Central African Republic, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Maldives, Mozambique, Nigeria, S\u00e3o Tom\u00e9 and Pr\u00edncipe, Senegal, and Zimbabwe.<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Image-2-Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-20251-5-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8509\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Image-2-Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-20251-5-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Image-2-Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-20251-5-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Image-2-Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-20251-5-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Image-2-Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-20251-5-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Image-2-Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-20251-5-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Image-2-Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-20251-5.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em><strong>Merck Foundation Chairman, CEO, and 14 First Ladies inaugurate the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative &#8211; MFFLI Summit<\/strong><\/em><\/p><p>Together with my dear sister, we have started to provide scholarships for young doctors in the fields of Oncology and Fertility, and they will soon begin their programs. This marks an important milestone for us in building healthcare capacity in Cabo Verde. We also signed an MoU to underscore our long-term partnership and to continue our programs in the country.<\/p><p>Together with my dear sister, we have started to provide scholarships for young doctors in the fields of Oncology and Fertility, and they will soon begin their programs. This marks an important milestone for us in building healthcare capacity in Cabo Verde. We also signed an MoU to underscore our long-term partnership and to continue our programs in the country.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-2-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8510\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-2-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-2-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"623\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-2025-4-4-1024x623.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8511\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-2025-4-4-1024x623.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-2025-4-4-300x182.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-2025-4-4-768x467.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-2025-4-4-1536x934.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-2025-4-4-600x365.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-2025-4-4.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8512\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-4.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-4-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><p>I am equally delighted to share that, through our \u201cEducating Linda\u201d program, we are supporting 42 underprivileged but high-performing schoolgirls across Cabo Verde. These scholarships empower them to complete their education, unlock their potential, and pursue their dreams, contributing to a stronger and more empowered nation.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-12.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8513\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-12.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-12-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8514\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-8.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-8-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Watch the Speech of The First Lady of Cabo Verde &amp; Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother during the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025 here:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container \" style=\"height: 100%;\"><iframe title=\"Cabo Verde FL, H.E.Dr. D\u00c9BORA CARVALHO Speech @ Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/GqsO-iRxmpQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Watch the video of MFFLI<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>committee meeting:<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container \" style=\"height: 100%;\"><iframe title=\"Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej @ Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative - MFFLI Committee Meeting 2025\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/G2YlJgkagNQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure><p>Merck Foundation has been dedicated to transforming patient care since 2012, and I am proud to share that we have provided over 2,280 scholarships for doctors from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties. We look forward to enrolling more doctors from Cabo Verde in various medical specialties in partnership with the First Lady and Ministry of Health of Cabo Verde.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8515\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-9.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-9-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-14.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8516\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-14.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-14-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><p>In partnership with\u00a0<strong>The First Lady of Cabo Verde<\/strong>, we have conducted two editions of our Online Health Media Training to empower journalists to raise awareness about critical social and health issues, such as breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education, and promoting early detection and prevention of diabetes and hypertension. Additionally, we have launched seven children\u2019s storybooks in Portuguese\u2014<strong>\u201cMore Than a Mother,\u201d \u201cEducating Linda,\u201d \u201cJackline\u2019s Rescue,\u201d \u201cNot Who You Are,\u201d \u201cRide into the Future,\u201d \u201cSugar Free Jude,\u201d and \u201cMark\u2019s Pressure\u201d<\/strong>\u2014to address issues like infertility stigma, girl education, stopping gender-based violence (GBV), and raising awareness about diabetes and hypertension.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-6.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8517\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-6.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-6-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-7.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8518\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-7.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-7-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"644\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-2025-5-4-1024x644.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-2025-5-4-1024x644.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-2025-5-4-300x189.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-2025-5-4-768x483.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-2025-5-4-1536x967.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-2025-5-4-600x378.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-2025-5-4.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-CEO-along-with-14-First-Ladies-during-7th-Edition-of-Merck-Foundation-First-Ladies-Initiative-Summi-141-3-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8520\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-CEO-along-with-14-First-Ladies-during-7th-Edition-of-Merck-Foundation-First-Ladies-Initiative-Summi-141-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-CEO-along-with-14-First-Ladies-during-7th-Edition-of-Merck-Foundation-First-Ladies-Initiative-Summi-141-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-CEO-along-with-14-First-Ladies-during-7th-Edition-of-Merck-Foundation-First-Ladies-Initiative-Summi-141-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-CEO-along-with-14-First-Ladies-during-7th-Edition-of-Merck-Foundation-First-Ladies-Initiative-Summi-141-3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-CEO-along-with-14-First-Ladies-during-7th-Edition-of-Merck-Foundation-First-Ladies-Initiative-Summi-141-3-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-CEO-along-with-14-First-Ladies-during-7th-Edition-of-Merck-Foundation-First-Ladies-Initiative-Summi-141-3.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>During the Summit, we announced the Call for Applications for our eight Merck Foundation Awards in partnership with The First Lady of Cabo Verde, targeting Media, Musicians, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, students, and new potential talents. These awards aim to inspire creative storytelling to address pressing social and health issues, including Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Ending FGM, and Promoting Diabetes and Hypertension Awareness. I warmly invite Cabo Verde\u2019s young talents to submit their creative work to\u00a0<strong>submit@merck-foundation.com\u00a0<\/strong>by\u00a0<strong>30th September 2025\u00a0<\/strong>for \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d awards and 30th October 2025 for \u201cDiabetes &amp; Hypertension\u201d awards.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"557\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MFFLI-2025-3-3-1024x557.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8521\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MFFLI-2025-3-3-1024x557.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MFFLI-2025-3-3-300x163.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MFFLI-2025-3-3-768x418.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MFFLI-2025-3-3-1536x835.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MFFLI-2025-3-3-600x326.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MFFLI-2025-3-3.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"621\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MFFLI-2025-6-3-1024x621.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8522\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MFFLI-2025-6-3-1024x621.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MFFLI-2025-6-3-300x182.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MFFLI-2025-6-3-768x466.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MFFLI-2025-6-3-1536x932.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MFFLI-2025-6-3-600x364.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MFFLI-2025-6-3.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-17.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8523\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-17.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-17-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-5.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8524\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-5.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-5-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><p>The Summit\u2019s hybrid format enabled over 6,000 participants from more than 70 countries to join our discussions, amplifying our collective impact and fostering meaningful dialogue on healthcare and social challenges.<\/p><p><strong>Kind Regards,<br>Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej<br>CEO of Merck Foundation<br>President of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI)<br>President of \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d Campaign<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"614\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-2025-3-1024x614.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8525\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-2025-3-1024x614.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-2025-3-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-2025-3-768x460.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-2025-3-1536x921.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-2025-3-600x360.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-the-First-Ladies-of-Africa-and-Asia-during-the-MFFLI-SUMMIT-2025-3.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-15.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8526\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-15.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-15-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-11.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8527\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-11.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-11-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-10.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8528\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-10.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-10-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-13.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8529\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-13.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-13-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-16.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8530\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-16.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-16-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"688\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-18.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8531\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-18.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-18-262x300.jpg 262w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"521\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-19.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8532\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-19.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-19-300x261.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-20.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8533\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-20.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-20-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-21.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8534\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-21.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-21-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-22.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8535\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-22.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-22-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-23.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8536\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-23.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-23-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"621\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MFFLI-2025-6-4-1024x621.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8537\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MFFLI-2025-6-4-1024x621.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MFFLI-2025-6-4-300x182.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MFFLI-2025-6-4-768x466.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MFFLI-2025-6-4-1536x932.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MFFLI-2025-6-4-600x364.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MFFLI-2025-6-4.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation &amp; President of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative\u00a0and\u00a0H.E. Dr. D\u00c9BORA KATISA CARVALHO, The First Lady of Cabo Verde and Ambassador of Merck Foundation \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d It was a pleasure welcoming and meeting my dear sister,\u00a0H.E. Dr. D\u00c9BORA KATISA CARVALHO, The First Lady of Cabo Verde [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8508,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8507","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-message"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Message from Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on Meeting The First Lady of Cabo Verde at the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025 | Rasha Kelej<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Message from Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on Meeting The First Lady of Cabo Verde at the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025 | Rasha Kelej\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation &amp; President of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative\u00a0and\u00a0H.E. Dr. D\u00c9BORA KATISA CARVALHO, The First Lady of Cabo Verde and Ambassador of Merck Foundation \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d It was a pleasure welcoming and meeting my dear sister,\u00a0H.E. Dr. D\u00c9BORA KATISA CARVALHO, The First Lady of Cabo Verde [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Rasha Kelej\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/KelejRasha\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-04-06T13:34:37+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-06T13:38:25+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"400\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Rasha Kelej\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@Rashakelej\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@Rashakelej\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Rasha Kelej\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Rasha Kelej\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/#\/schema\/person\/429e6f8aa2355c3af69519b29a0fe3a5\"},\"headline\":\"Message from Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on Meeting The First Lady of Cabo Verde at the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-06T13:34:37+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-06T13:38:25+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507\"},\"wordCount\":742,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-1.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Messages\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507\",\"name\":\"Message from Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on Meeting The First Lady of Cabo Verde at the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025 | Rasha Kelej\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-1.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-06T13:34:37+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-06T13:38:25+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-1.jpg\",\"width\":600,\"height\":400},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Message from Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on Meeting The First Lady of Cabo Verde at the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/\",\"name\":\"Rasha Kelej, CEO Merck Foundation\",\"description\":\"CEO Merck Foundation\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Rasha Kelej, CEO Merck Foundation\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Rasha-Kelej-129-scaled-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Rasha-Kelej-129-scaled-1.jpg\",\"width\":1600,\"height\":1051,\"caption\":\"Rasha Kelej, CEO Merck Foundation\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/KelejRasha\/\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/Rashakelej\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/rasha_kelej\/\",\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/rasha-kelej-a5605022\/\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCO_bN_T_NodcOYwcPjknaog\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/#\/schema\/person\/429e6f8aa2355c3af69519b29a0fe3a5\",\"name\":\"Rasha Kelej\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b836d420e91888c2d8005f217e03f300?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b836d420e91888c2d8005f217e03f300?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Rasha Kelej\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Message from Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on Meeting The First Lady of Cabo Verde at the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025 | Rasha Kelej","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Message from Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on Meeting The First Lady of Cabo Verde at the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025 | Rasha Kelej","og_description":"Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation &amp; President of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative\u00a0and\u00a0H.E. Dr. D\u00c9BORA KATISA CARVALHO, The First Lady of Cabo Verde and Ambassador of Merck Foundation \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d It was a pleasure welcoming and meeting my dear sister,\u00a0H.E. Dr. D\u00c9BORA KATISA CARVALHO, The First Lady of Cabo Verde [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507","og_site_name":"Rasha Kelej","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/KelejRasha\/","article_published_time":"2026-04-06T13:34:37+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-04-06T13:38:25+00:00","og_image":[{"width":600,"height":400,"url":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-1.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Rasha Kelej","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@Rashakelej","twitter_site":"@Rashakelej","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Rasha Kelej","Est. reading time":"10 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507"},"author":{"name":"Rasha Kelej","@id":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/#\/schema\/person\/429e6f8aa2355c3af69519b29a0fe3a5"},"headline":"Message from Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on Meeting The First Lady of Cabo Verde at the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025","datePublished":"2026-04-06T13:34:37+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-06T13:38:25+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507"},"wordCount":742,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-1.jpg","articleSection":["Messages"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507","url":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507","name":"Message from Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on Meeting The First Lady of Cabo Verde at the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025 | Rasha Kelej","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-1.jpg","datePublished":"2026-04-06T13:34:37+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-06T13:38:25+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/First-Lady-of-Cabo-Verde-1.jpg","width":600,"height":400},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8507#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Message from Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on Meeting The First Lady of Cabo Verde at the 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/","name":"Rasha Kelej, CEO Merck Foundation","description":"CEO Merck Foundation","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/#organization","name":"Rasha Kelej, CEO Merck Foundation","url":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Rasha-Kelej-129-scaled-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Rasha-Kelej-129-scaled-1.jpg","width":1600,"height":1051,"caption":"Rasha Kelej, CEO Merck Foundation"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/KelejRasha\/","https:\/\/x.com\/Rashakelej","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/rasha_kelej\/","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/rasha-kelej-a5605022\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCO_bN_T_NodcOYwcPjknaog"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/#\/schema\/person\/429e6f8aa2355c3af69519b29a0fe3a5","name":"Rasha Kelej","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b836d420e91888c2d8005f217e03f300?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b836d420e91888c2d8005f217e03f300?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Rasha Kelej"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8507","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8507"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8507\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8540,"href":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8507\/revisions\/8540"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8508"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8507"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8507"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8507"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}