Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany has launched the Tenth Episode of their First-ever TV program – ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’ on their social media handles.

‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’ is a pan African TV program that is conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation to feature African Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent experts from various domains with the aim to raise awareness and create a culture shift across Africa.

The TV program is currently broadcasting on KTN Home in Kenya, every Saturday at 5 pm and repeated every Thursday at 6:30 am.

It has also been broadcasted on prime TV stations of many countries like BTV (Botswana) Mashariki TV (Burundi), GHOne &TV3 (Ghana), QTV (The Gambia), LNTV (Liberia), Mibawa Limited (Malawi), Defi Media (Mauritius), AYV TV (Sierra Leone), NTV (Uganda), ZNBC TV (Zambia) and it immediately captured the attention and hearts of millions of viewers across Africa. “Our Africa” TV Program will soon be broadcast on GTV in Ghana, NBC in Namibia, and ZTN in Zimbabwe. “Our Africa” TV Program is also currently on social media handles of Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej [Facebook (apo-opa.co/3XgF3F1), Instagram (apo-opa.co/3yUd0lh), X (apo-opa.co/3T3I8Wu) and YouTube (apo-opa.co/3YU3UQ4)] and Merck Foundation [Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/3yMC7Xh), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3T1wBa3), X (https://apo-opa.co/4dP22Nn) and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/3yMC9hR)].

Watch the Promo of ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’ here:

https://apo-opa.co/3yReYTu

The theme for the Tenth Episode is Breaking Infertility Stigma.

Watch the Tenth Episode promo here:

https://apo-opa.co/3XdI3C2

Watch the Tenth Episode here:

https://apo-opa.co/4dqn8kN

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation expressed, “I am deeply touched by the messages we are getting on our social media platform appreciating the TV Program and I thank all our viewers for the phenomenal response and feedback we have been getting for ‘Our Africa’ TV Program. This episode is indeed close to my heart as an African woman, as it is part of our signature campaign “More than a Mother”, the work we have created by our fashion designers and artists all over Africa was very encouraging and kept pushing us to work harder to address this sensitive issue and empower infertile women through information, health and change of mindset. And of course, we will keep addressing more sensitive social and health issues to be the voice of the voiceless in our beloved Africa.”

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation further emphasized, “The messages of the designs are also focusing on the issue of male infertility and how fertility is a shared responsibility as it takes a man and woman to have a child. We have addressed this issue through our Fashion and Art with Purpose community. Together we can create a culture shift that will help our communities better understand and act on different issues. Through this episode, I also got a chance to thank my dear sisters, the African First Ladies who I have worked very closely with Merck Foundation for this Movement, as Ambassadors of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother.

I would also like to thank our viewers for the amazing response we have been receiving, this is indeed very inspiring and encouraging. Moreover, I would especially like to acknowledge the love we have been receiving from our social media followers, it is phenomenal.”

Merck Foundation’s iconic “More Than a Mother” campaign started and led by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej is a rallying movement to Break Infertility Stigma faced by women across the African continent.

“More Than a Mother’ Movement is very close to my heart. Along with all the initiatives under this Movement, Merck Foundation also supports building healthcare capacity in Africa, therefore, I am happy to share that Merck Foundation has provided more than 574 scholarships to doctors from 39 countries, with the aim to advance women's health by building Reproductive & Sexual care and Fertility Care Capacity in Africa and beyond. Moreover, we have trained more than 3200 media representatives from more than 35 countries to raise community awareness, creating a culture shift and breaking the stigma around infertility and infertile and childless women” explained Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej.

This tenth episode featured prominent personalities like fashion designers Augustina Annan and Kezia Ansah-Mensal from Ghana. These two designers have been winners of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Fashion Awards 2019, they showcased their designs that displayed strong messages on Women are More Than Mothers, Men and More Than Fathers, #NoToInfertilityStigma, #FertilityIsASharedResponsibility and infertility prevention tips. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej also showcased designs from her colorful collection of casual wear for men and women displaying relevant messages to Breaking Infertility Stigma.

The Tenth episode also featured Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” campaign’s Superwoman Song by artists Cwesi Oteng and Adina from Ghana.

Watch and listen to this song here:

https://apo-opa.co/3T0bcOA

Merck Foundation has also been empowering childless and infertile women through their “Empowering Berna” initiative under Merck Foundation’s “More Than a Mother” movement. This initiative helps women who cannot be treated for infertility anymore by helping them to get trained to establish small businesses so that they can be independent and re-build their lives. Through ‘Empowering Berna’, the lives of many infertile women have been transformed in many African countries like Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Niger, Malawi and many more.

Merck Foundation in partnership with African First Ladies have also launched children’s storybook “More Than a Mother”, to emphasize strong family values of love and respect from a young age which will reflect on eliminating the stigma of infertility and resulted domestic violence in the future. The book has been also adapted to an animation film. Watch More than a Mother Animation Film here:

https://apo-opa.co/3Xg48zW

Merck Foundation has also released many songs to raise awareness about infertility stigma under their “More Than a Mother” campaign. Listen to some of the songs here:

1. Watch, share & subscribe to More Than a Mother theme song by Sunita Daffeh, a singer from The Gambia: https://apo-opa.co/4dzRcur
2. Watch, share & subscribe to the 'Plus qu'une MERE' composed and sung by Ms. Lucky-Lou, the daughter of The President and The First Lady of Burundi: https://apo-opa.co/4dBqaCI

Listen to all “More than a Mother” songs here:https://apo-opa.co/3MfsbJ1

“To address this important issue of breaking infertility stigma and also a wide range of other social issues, we annually launch Merck Foundation ‘More Than a Mother’ Awards in partnership with African First Ladies. I would also like to invite the African Community of Media, Fashion, Film making, and Musicians, students and potential talents in these fields to apply for the awards this year, in order to create a culture shift and break the silence about one or more of the following topics: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels. I am looking forward to receiving their creative work on submit@merck-foundation.com”, added Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej.

“I am very excited to bring to you all the upcoming episodes of ‘OUR AFRICA by Merck Foundation’ TV program. So, stay tuned and be ready to Get informed, Get healthy, and Get entertained!”, concluded Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej.

Watch Episode 1 here: https://apo-opa.co/3ACeqBo

Watch Episode 2 here: https://apo-opa.co/3XeH1W9

Watch Episode 3 here: https://apo-opa.co/4dxf0Pn

Watch Episode 4 here: https://apo-opa.co/3XfgFDt

Watch Episode 5 here: https://apo-opa.co/4dxf2GZ  

Watch Episode 6 here: https://apo-opa.co/3yReZH2

Watch Episode 7 here: https://apo-opa.co/3SZITjc

Watch Episode 8 here: https://apo-opa.co/4dyY9f5  

Watch Episode 9 here: https://apo-opa.co/4dxf6GJ