African Pride: Dr. Rasha Kelej

In recent years, many African and Arab artists have become goodwill ambassadors, a position adopted by large international organizations that collaborate with prominent figures in literature, art, sports, science, and sports.

All of them have agreed to contribute to spreading the spirit of philanthropy and volunteerism and having the ability to serve millions of people in all parts of the world.

Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Charitable Foundation, is one of the prominent figures in charitable and volunteer works in Egypt and Africa. She looks like Hollywood star Angelina Jolie in her bright face, elegance, beauty and the ability to accomplish many things at the same time.

 

Kelej is a hard worker and a professional fighter, who fears nobody in going to Africa jungles adjacent to areas of military militias and armed disputes in order to fulfill her charitable goals in Africa.

She is capable of working in any field as she has excellent curriculum vitae that enables her to work in any executive position in major international companies. She has nearly 24-year experience in pharmaceutical industries, health, and community development, however, she chose to fight for humanitarian issues and wandering in the poorest and most dangerous areas in Africa.

“SEE” spoke with Mrs. Rasha Kelej about her various charitable contributions in Africa, in the light of Egypt’s current presidency of the African Union (AU).

Here is the full excerpt of the interview:

Could you narrate to us how you started the volunteer work in Africa?

I graduated from the faculty of pharmacy, Alexandria university and I have worked in the field of pharmaceutical industries and health development for around 24 years.

Then I got a master's degree from Robert Gordon University in Scotland in the field of sustainable community development management.

I felt passionate about this field, especially health care in poor countries and Africa. Afterward, I was chosen to chair the German "Merk Charitable Foundation", one of the largest non-profit charities in Europe and the world.

Merk foundation, established in 2017, aims at improving the health and well-being of people and advance their lives through science and technology.

Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality and equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth.

I got many awards in the field of women and community development. My goal is to see the lives of people change for the better, especially in my lovely continent Africa.

Your volunteer and development work focus on Africa, especially women… why?

I am an African-Egyptian... and very proud to belong to this black continent.

The woman’s key role in rebuilding Africa through confronting ignorance, poverty, illiteracy and negative social habits left by wars and conflicts should not be neglected.

The advancement of women is very significant to achieve permanent prosperity, development, stability, and peace in the continent. I am always keen to cooperate with African women in all fields, and to strengthen bridges of communication with Africa via its women.

From your point of view... what are the keys to change in Africa?

I believe that education as well as correcting misconceptions and customs are the keys to change in these marginalized communities in Africa.

Empowering women through education is one of the most important tools in promoting progress and economic empowerment of Africans.

Numerous studies have shown that there are strong links between women's and girls' education and the positive outcomes of economic empowerment, social mobility, and maternal health. It is also revealed that women's unemployment was a waste of valuable human capital, which had a negative impact on economic prosperity and national development.

One of the United Nations (UN) most well-known slogans is “Equality for Women= Prosperity for All”, which reflects the significance of girl’s education and woman empowerment.

What are the most important development projects you are currently working on in Africa?

Regretfully, there is not yet a single oncologist in many African countries such as Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, Guinea, Burundi, and Niger.

Thus, we are providing specialized training for the first oncologists there by increasing the limited number of oncologists in Africa and developing countries.

The program provides fellowships in oncology, pediatrics and radiation therapy in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute at Cairo University and other countries. Hence, every oncologist returns home can treat hundreds of African patients.

Could you tell us more about the "More Than Mother" initiative recently launched in a number of African countries? 

“More Than a Mother” initiative aims to empower infertile women through access to information, education and health and by changing mindsets.

We succeeded to persuade 15 African first ladies to be ambassadors for “More Than a Mother” initiative including Burundi, Botswana, Central Africa, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Niger, Liberia, Malawi, Guinea, Congo, Mali, Lesotho, Zambia, Gambia, Guinea, and Chad.

Moreover, they unveiled stories of abused wives including, a Kenyan lady called Jacqueline Mwendi, whose upper limbs were amputated and her face was distorted by her husband, who suffered some problems that caused his infertility.

 

What are the most important experiences you gain as a chairman of the largest charitable institution in Europe?

I believe that civil society institutions can be the key to rapprochement and change in African societies.

From a practical point of view, I am moving between administrative and field work within the poorest areas of Africa, which enabled me to reach the heart of the African man, which is pure, and clean.

Lack of financial means is not the only challenge in Africa and developing countries, but the scarcity of trained health and education personnel is the major one.

Would you accept working as Egypt's goodwill ambassador in Africa?

Of course, I am very proud to be an Egyptian.

I think that Africa needs more voluntary and charitable works from Egypt, in parallel with the successful policies of the Egyptian state in dealing with Africa.

I would like to underline the idea that civil society organizations have an equal role as the government and the private sector in successfully achieving the state policies in any country.