موقع وجه أفريقيا موقع وجه أفريقيا هو موقع مهتم بمتابعة التطورات في القارة الأفريقية
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Major scholarship initiative for 47 Kenyan schoolgirls extending across 21 African countries
Reporting – Reda Helal
ith the First Lady of Kenya, Rachel Ruto, has officially launched the “Educating Linda” program at the State House in Nairobi, marking a significant milestone in advancing girls’ education and women’s empowerment in Africa.
The ceremony was attended by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, alongside the First Lady, who was also announced as the Ambassador of the “More Than a Mother” campaign.
The initiative will provide annual
scholarships to 47 high-performing but underprivileged Kenyan schoolgirls, ensuring they complete their education without being forced to drop out due to financial hardship.
Dr. Rasha Kelej emphasized that the program reflects the foundation’s belief that “educating a girl empowers an entire community,” noting that the initiative spans over 1,250 girls across 21 African countries.
The First Lady of Kenya reaffirmed her commitment to girls’ education, stressing that every girl deserves the opportunity to learn and achieve her dreams, and that removing barriers to education remains a national priority.
During the event, foundation leaders met with beneficiary students and their families to hear firsthand the impact of the scholarships on their lives.
Merck Foundation also announced 328 scholarships for Kenyan healthcare professionals across 44 medical specialties, along with the launch of children’s storybooks addressing key social and health issues such as child marriage, gender-based violence, infertility stigma, and chronic diseases.
In addition, the foundation launched eight annual awards in media, film, fashion, and music to encourage creative advocacy on social and health issues across Africa, with submission deadlines set for 2026.
