In Malawi, Madonna Will Break Ground for Girls Academy

Madonna in Malawi, prior to adopting her daughter Mercy earlier in 2009Smarty Pants Madonna is due in Malawi this weekend for a week-long charity tour, kicking off with her Monday ground-breaking ceremony for for her Raising Malawi Girls Academy, a purpose-built elite girls academy, situated just outside the capital, Lilongwe.

Madonna on an earlier trip to MalawiMadonna’s Raising Malawi Academy for Girls will establish “a leadership institution that will prepare future women leaders committed to the vision of a better Malawi through academic excellence and leadership training,” according to publicity material for the multi-million dollar project. The school is openly modelled after the Oprah Winfrey’s Girl Leadership Academy in South Africa.

Madonna has also hired Anjimile Mtila-Oponyo, sister to Malawi’s Vice-President Joyce Banda, as director of the academy.

“These are the girls Madonna is trying to reach for they are behind in education,” she said, adding “Madonna believes that given opportunities, these girls will become scientists, lawyers and doctors. She believes in them.”

“Madonna is doing a lot for the vulnerable Malawian children, especially girl-children, and as government, we are very grateful for her benevolence,” said Women and Child Development Minister Patricia Kaliati.

During her week-long visit, Madonna will hold private discussions with President Bingu wa Mutharika and also visit some of the six orphanages that she is funding. Her two adopted Malawi children - David and Mercy Chifundo - are traveling with her, with no confirmation on Madonna’s other children Lourdes, 12 and Rocco, seven.

Madonna had a bit of fence mending to do with local Malawi chiefs who are feeling left out of the school construction process. The dispute has stopped preparation of the school site for building. Officials in Malawi are supportive of Madonna’s efforts and presumably everything will be fine after a high-level pow wow and grievance airing.

Malawi has a a reputation for progressive thinking on maternal health and several other female-centric initiatives. We will take Madonna’s time in Malawi this week, to highlight the country’s multiple success stories and to learn more about daily life for women and children in Malawi. Anne