Madonna to Build 30 New Schools in Malawi

Madonna is set to build 30 new schools in Malawi, the home nation of her two adopted children, Mirror UK reports.

Initially, the singer planned to create a single $15 million girls’ academy to improve women’s rights and education, but later decided to do something that would reach thousands of children in the poverished nation. Her initial idea also generated a low number of donors, wherein her wealthy friends stated that they preferred to help as many children as possible rather than putting their money into a single project.

The goal is to help more children orphaned with AIDS, which has ravaged the southern African country, Mirror UK cited.

The 52-year-old singer said: "In a country where only 33 percent of girls attend secondary school, I realize the plans we had in place for the academy simply would not serve enough children.

"My original vision is now on a much bigger scale. I want to reach thousands, not hundreds of girls. I want to do more and I want to do it better."

The new schools will cost an estimated $476,000 each to create, but will provide 200,000 children better access to education. Trevor Neilson, whose company, Global Philanthropy Group, has advised U2 singer Bono on his charity work, is working with Madonna after her chief executive for the charity, Phillipe van den Boscche, quit.

"Our new community-based approach will provide the opportunity for many more girls to receive a quality education. We are focused on ensuring the most efficient implementation of this new strategy,” Neilson said.

Two of Madonna's four children — David, 5, and Mercy, 4 — were adopted from Malawi after their mothers died.