Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, celebrated ‘World Art Day 2025’ through their Pan African ‘Art and Fashion with Purpose’ Community, spearheaded by Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, the CEO of Merck Foundation. This community serves as a platform for artists to raise awareness on critical health and social issues, using their creativity to advocate, educate, and bring about cultural change within their communities.
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, who has been recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans in recent years, emphasized the power of art, fashion, and media in addressing social and health issues. She highlighted the importance of initiatives like ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’, a pan African TV program conceptualized and hosted by Dr. Kelej. The program features African fashion designers, singers, and experts, aiming to raise awareness and foster a cultural shift across the continent.
The ‘Our Africa’ TV program has been broadcasted on prime TV stations in various African countries, reaching millions of viewers. Through this platform, Merck Foundation continues to highlight pressing issues such as Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Ending Child Marriage, and more.
In partnership with The First Ladies of Africa, Merck Foundation announces annual awards for Media, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, and Musicians/Singers, focusing on themes like breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education, and promoting a healthy lifestyle. These awards aim to inspire young African talents to address critical social and health issues through their creative work.
As part of their Community Awareness Programs, Merck Foundation has collaborated with African artists to create over 30 songs in multiple languages, addressing various issues such as empowering women, ending child marriage, and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, they have launched children’s storybooks and animation films to raise awareness at the grassroots level.
To engage with their content, listeners can access the Merck Foundation songs, storybooks, and animation films through their social media platforms. The foundation remains committed to improving health and wellbeing, advancing lives through science and technology, and empowering communities in need.
Overall, Merck Foundation’s initiatives demonstrate a holistic approach to addressing social and health challenges, utilizing art, fashion, and media as powerful tools for advocacy and education. Through their diverse programs and partnerships, they continue to make a positive impact on communities across Africa.
