Madonna Starts Malawian Girls School

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.”
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