Pop star Madonna attended a ceremony in Malawi, marking the start of construction for a school for girls in the country. The 51-year-old singer, who cut a ribbon and planted a tree during the ceremony, will open the Raising Malawi Academy for Girls, which will take two years in construction worth $15 million.
According to the singer, whose charity Raising Malawi aims to assist the country in education, food, accommodation and to support orphans, the construction of the academy is for the country to create and mould future leaders.
“Growing up in a privileged life, I took education for granted, but coming to Malawi has taught me a lot of things and learnt to appreciate what life gives,” Madonna said. “I realised how much they deserve to be educated and so for me the best thing I could do was to build a school, a unique school that will create future female leaders, scientists, lawyers and doctors.”
“Research proves that young girls throughout the developing world are often left without opportunities to receive a comprehensive education and the benefits that education can provide”, according to a statement in the singer’s website.
Our goal is to teach them to challenge themselves, serve their local communities and develop their country.”
Anjimile Mtila Oponyo, who was asked to head the academy said, “Madonna believes that given opportunities, these girls will become scientists, lawyers and doctors. She believes in them. Having someone believe in you is important to a girl”
The Raising Malawi Academy for Girls located on the outskirts of Lilongwe, the country’s capital, will admit 500 girls in the future.
