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Madonna Starts Malawian Girls School

Star breaks ground on $15M project in children's homeland

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 26, 2009 4:39 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Construction on a Malawian school for girls founded by Madonna began today. The singer has put up $15 million for the creation of the Raising Malawi Academy for Girls, which is expected to be finished in 2 years, the BBC reports. "Growing up in a privileged life, I took education for granted, but coming to Malawi has taught me a lot of things, and to learn to appreciate what life gives," Madonna said at today's ribbon-cutting ceremony.

"Research proves that young girls throughout the developing world are often left without opportunities to receive a comprehensive education,” said the entertainer, whose son David and daughter Mercy were born in Malawi. “I realized the best thing I could do was to build a school, a unique school that will create future female leaders, scientists, lawyers and doctors.”

US pop star Madonna, second from left, gestures before cutting the ribbon at the ground breaking ceremony for the Raising Malawi Academy for Girls in Malawi, Monday, Oct, 26, 2009.
US pop star Madonna, second from left, gestures before cutting the ribbon at the ground breaking ceremony for the Raising Malawi Academy for Girls in Malawi, Monday, Oct, 26, 2009.   (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
US pop star Madonna, second from left, gestures before cutting the ribbon at the ground breaking ceremony for the Raising Malawi Academy for Girls in Malawi, Monday, Oct, 26, 2009.
US pop star Madonna, second from left, gestures before cutting the ribbon at the ground breaking ceremony for the Raising Malawi Academy for Girls in Malawi, Monday, Oct, 26, 2009.   (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
US pop star Madonna plants a tree at a ground breaking ceremony for her Raising Malawi Academy for Girls in Malawi, Monday, Oct. 26, 2009.
US pop star Madonna plants a tree at a ground breaking ceremony for her Raising Malawi Academy for Girls in Malawi, Monday, Oct. 26, 2009.   (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
US pop star Madonna, left, and her daughter Lourdes attend the ground breaking ceremony for her Raising Malawi Academy for Girls in Malawi, Monday, Oct. 26, 2009.
US pop star Madonna, left, and her daughter Lourdes attend the ground breaking ceremony for her Raising Malawi Academy for Girls in Malawi, Monday, Oct. 26, 2009.   (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
US pop star Madonna plants a tree at a ground breaking ceremony for her Raising Malawi Academy for Girls in Malawi, Monday, Oct. 26, 2009.
US pop star Madonna plants a tree at a ground breaking ceremony for her Raising Malawi Academy for Girls in Malawi, Monday, Oct. 26, 2009.   (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
bewilderbeast
Oct 27, 2009 11:19 AM CDT
It's HOW it's done that makes people sick. Just like Oprah, she's creating a school for the ultra-elite which politicians will no doubt use and abuse for their own purposes. That money could have instead raised the standard in TEN existing Malawian schools, enabling many more kids to benefit. Or it could have put internet access into ALL Malawi's schools.
Michael_CT
Oct 27, 2009 9:05 AM CDT
i think any help given to those with very little is better than nothing at all. since when is charity such a crime? come on people!
BleeBloo
Oct 27, 2009 6:13 AM CDT
Because the only reason you'd respect her is if she was young and a smokin' hottie, am I right, youngblood?

 
education • Africa • women • school • Malawi • girls • Madonna • David Banda • Mercy James

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