As part of Madonna’s ongoing commitment to support orphans and vulnerable children in poverty stricken Malawi, ten primary schools have been completed that will serve to educate 4,871 children. These schools are located in rural villages across Malawi and are a result of the partnership between Madonna, her charity Raising Malawi and the global nonprofit buildOn. The ten schools, which were scheduled to be built over 18 months, have been completed six months ahead of schedule. Six of the schools are already in use and all ten will be up and running in January 2013 for the first day of school in the New Year.

The project was originally announced early this year as a major initiative of Raising Malawi, which has already provided millions of dollars in support of orphanages, a network of orphan care service providers, health clinics, a scholarship program for girls, and the schools with buildOn.

The location for each school was chosen from a list of communities in need of new infrastructure. The Ministry of Education Office in the Kasungu District was an important partner, providing both the teachers and curriculum after each school was completed.

“I am overjoyed that my commitment along with buildOn’s to help educate the children of Malawi has come to fruition. In a country where girls have little opportunity for education, it’s additionally inspiring to know that more than half the students attending will be young girls. 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,” commented Madonna.

Consistently ranked among the world’s 20 least developed countries on the UN’s Human Development Index, Malawi has long been challenged by economic stagnation and a lack of access to education. With support from Madonna and Raising Malawi, buildOn was able double the reach of its school construction program within a year.

“Madonna’s commitment to the children of Malawi is inspiring,” said Jim Ziolkowski , founder and CEO of buildOn. “Through Raising Malawi’s support we were able to build 10 schools that will educate literally generations of children who need it the most.”

About Raising Malawi

Raising Malawi was founded in 2006 to bring an end to the extreme poverty and hardship endured by Malawi’s 1 million orphans and vulnerable children. Raising Malawi supports community-based organizations that provide these children and their caregivers with critical resources including food, clothing, shelter, education, medical care, and psychosocial support. http://www.raisingmalawi.org

About buildOn

buildOn is a non-governmental organization that is breaking the cycle of poverty, illiteracy and low expectations through service and education. Since 1991, buildOn has brought literacy to girls and boys and their parents and grandparents, in developing countries around the world. In the U.S., buildOn’s afterschool service programs mobilize urban teens to lift up their communities through intensive local service and change the world and by building schools in some of the poorest countries on the planet. To date, buildOn has constructed 500 schools worldwide, including 73 schools in villages in Malawi. http://www.buildon.org