“Our Africa by Merck Foundation” TV Program on KTN and NTV Kenya and Uganda – Eighth Episode Focuses on Sustainability Being a Shared Responsibility

KAMPALA, Uganda, June 8, 2022/ — Merck Foundation (https://Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany has released the Eighth Episode of their TV program ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’ on Saturday, 4th June 2022 on KTN, Kenya, repeated on every Wednesday and also on Sunday, 5th June on NTV, Uganda, repeated every Thursday. “Our Africa by Merck Foundation” also airs on GH One TV in Ghana, every Sunday at 2 pm. The TV program’s eighth episode addressed the important topic of “Sustainability is a Shared Responsibility”. The previous episodes have addressed diabetes prevention, breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education, promoting a healthy lifestyle, ending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and Coronavirus Health Awareness. The TV program has been receiving great reviews from viewers and social media followers.

Watch the Eighth Episode promo here: https://bit.ly/3MqvquI
Watch the Eighth Episode here: https://bit.ly/3mrd41V

‘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 Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent guests from various domains with the aim to raise awareness and create a culture shift across Africa. The show is co-hosted by Brian Mulondo from Uganda.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation expressed, “I am happy to bring to you the eighth episode of ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’, with this episode we aim to raise awareness about sustainability and environmental protection through our ‘Fashion and Art  with Purpose’ community. I am very happy that this episode was aired close to World Environment Day 2022 which is observed on 5th June every year. I have always believed that Fashion and Art can be used as powerful tools to address and raise awareness on pressing social and health issues in our beloved Africa and beyond. Fashion and Art have a purpose beyond just entertainment and looking good and we must make the most out of these platforms to advocate for the causes we work towards every day. Merck Foundation works closely with Media and Art communities across Africa to address and raise awareness on sensitive social and health issues such as Diabetes Awareness, Breaking Infertility Stigma, Ending Child Marriage, stopping FGM, stopping GBV, Supporting Girl Education and women’s empowerment and many more. Together, we can be the voice of the voiceless and bring about a positive change in our communities that will lead to a culture shift in Africa.”

The show is being aired on:

– Every Saturday @ 5:30 pm (EAT) on KTN, Kenya; re-runs on Wednesday @ 6:30 am (EAT)
– Every Sunday @ 6:30 pm (EAT) on NTV Uganda; re-runs on Thursday @ 4:00 pm (EAT)
– Every Sunday @ 2 pm on (GMT) GH One TV, Ghana; re-runs on Monday @ 1:30 pm (GMT)

Watch the Promo of ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’ here: https://bit.ly/3xA3kYH

“‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’ has been receiving an overwhelming response from our viewers who watch the show on TV. Our social media is also flooded with lovely messages from our followers across the globe. All this attention is very valuable and inspiring to do more and to do better. I am certain the upcoming episodes will also be received well”, added Dr. Rasha Kelej

Globally, the textile and clothing sector is one of the largest segments of the economy, contributing almost $2.4 trillion to manufacturing and employing close to 300 million people across the world. Fashion makes a sizeable contribution to climate change. The fashion industry accounts for about 8-10% of global carbon emissions, and nearly 20% of wastewater. This means that the fashion industry consumes more energy than both aviation and shipping combined.

Sustainable Fashion is a term for clothes that are created and consumed in a way that can be, quite literally, sustained, while protecting both the environment and those producing garments. This is the reason cutting CO2 emissions, addressing overproduction, reducing pollution and waste, supporting biodiversity, and ensuring that garment workers are paid a fair wage and have safe working conditions, are all crucial to the scope of sustainability.

“Sustainable Fashion is a term that is increasingly used these days, as we all become aware of the serious environmental impact of our clothes. I feel so proud that the local fashion industry across Africa is exploring new sustainable solutions, and tapping into more traditional ones, that will enable them financially and protect the environment” said Senator, Dr. Rasha.

This episode featured Nana Kwabena Anoff, African Artist in Sustainable Art, who displayed his unique and remarkable art pieces made up of sustainable materials; Dr. Sabrina Devi Ramamy Iranah, Director of Fashion and Design Institute, Mauritius and Jean Luc Emile, Managing Editor, Defimedia Group, Mauritius. Young Fashion Designers from Mauritius – Desire Cedric Vincent and Deena Appaddo are also featured, who showcased their recyclable fashion designs with messages on environmental sustainability during this episode.

Senator, Dr. Rasha further explained, “At Merck Foundation we strongly believe that young people have numerous untapped capabilities. We wish to unleash such capabilities which would empower and enable them to lead the sustainable development and Green Environmental Agenda for their countries and encourage others to lead a sustainable lifestyle and adapt to the impact of climate change. “Sustainability is a Shared Responsibility”.

“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://bit.ly/3Q8UPw0
Watch Episode 2 here: https://bit.ly/39gGAoi
Watch Episode 3 here: https://bit.ly/3NzWdG6
Watch Episode 4 here: https://bit.ly/3NZst5s
Watch Episode 5 here: https://bit.ly/3MyEeif
Watch Episode 6 here: https://bit.ly/3mp8t0t
Watch Episode 7 here: https://bit.ly/3aFMHTh

Download more images: https://we.tl/t-i2A07kso90

Media contact:
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager
+91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com

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About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & 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. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. Please visit Merck-Foundation.com to read more. To know more, reach out to our social media: Merck Foundation (Merck-Foundation.com); Facebook (bit.ly/32YFKpv), Twitter (bit.ly/2TeOQNj), Instagram(bit.ly/3g6OYr3) , YouTube (bit.ly/3zc3up1) and Flicker (bit.ly/2Tay0Pu).