ADVERTISEMENT

Madonna, Malawi Schools: Country's Education Minister Accuses Singer of Exaggerating Her Involvement in New Institutions

madonna stalker Robert LinhartKevin Mazur, WireImage

Madonna may be raising two adopted children from Malawi, but the African country's Education Minister insists the pop icon's Raising Malawi charity organization had much less to do with the opening of new schools in the country than the singer may lead on.

Madonna's charity teamed up with the non-profit school-building organization, buildOn, to construct 10 new primary schools for over 4,800 students in rural villages. After construction was complete in December 2012, Madonna released a statement on the Raising Malawi website.

"I am overjoyed that my commitment along with buildOn's to help educate the children of Malawi has come to fruition," the singer said. "The fact that more than 4,800 children in Malawi will get to go to school next year is a tremendous step forward for their individual growth and the growth of Malawi."

However, Malawian Education Minister Eunice Kazembe tells the U.K.'s The Independent that the pop star has been misleading the public about the reality of her involvement in the new schools.

"The schools Raising Malawi claims to have constructed were already in existence," Kazembe insists. "Raising Malawi only built 10 classroom blocks and not schools. People should know the difference between the two."

Kazembe said she and the Malawian government are eager to "clarify any misconceptions that may arise."

This isn't the first time Madge has landed in hot water with the country's officials. In 2010, her plans to build a $15 million elite school for girls was cancelled after the project's staff was accused of extreme mismanagement.

The adoption of her two youngest children, David and Mercy, from the country was also shrouded in controversy.

See Madonna in Our "Hottest May/December Romances" Gallery

Watch "Madonna Has Highest Grossing Tour, But Which Artist Gets Lowest Placement?"



Add a Comment

*0 / 3000 Character Maximum

3 Comments

Filter by:
Darcy

Madonna is disgusting to me. Never did like her. Her EX Sean is giving and working his heart out for Haiti. While she concentrates on how to look or appear sexy. Difference in people.

January 20 2013 at 5:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
DJ Stephen V

Give me a break. Madonna does more for humanity than in one minute than any of you yokuls. The charity donations can be tracked. Perhaps the Education Minister of Malawi should look at his own government for the corruptive practices. Madonna's hard work and persistence with this project speaks for itself. Idiots.

January 19 2013 at 1:42 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Andrea

It is well known that Madonna is one of the stingiest stars out there.

January 18 2013 at 10:39 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Also on AOL

Your Settings

{email}

Subscriptions

Weekly Newsletter

AOL Music Blog news in your mailbox. Top Articles, reviews, photos & more.

Realtime alerts

Daily alerts


Update
Cancel