Madonna goes to school in Malawi

Madonna adopted four-year-old David in 2006

Pop star Madonna has arrived in Malawi to visit the girls school she is building in the African country.

The 51-year-old was accompanied by her four children - two of whom, Mercy, 3, and David, 4, were born in Malawi.

She will take part in a ground breaking ceremony on the future site of the school on Monday afternoon.

"It's an honour for me to be able to help as many of these girls as I can achieve their dreams," the pop star said in a statement on her website.

Madonna's charity, Raising Malawi, aims to provide accommodation, food, education and other support to orphans in the country.

The school, which will be named Raising Malawi Academy for Girls, is on the outskirts of the country's capital, Lilongwe.

It will prepare girls from poor backgrounds for careers in medicine, education or law.

"Research proves that young girls throughout the developing world are often left without opportunities to receive a comprehensive education and the benefits that education can provide," Madonna said in her statement.

"Our goal is to teach them to challenge themselves, serve their local communities and develop their country."

"Madonna believes that given opportunities, these girls will become scientists, lawyers and doctors," added Anjimile Mtila Oponyo, a local academic who has been hired to head the academy.

"She believes in them. Having someone believe in you is important to a girl," she said.

During her trip, Madonna is also expected to meet with President Bingu wa Mutharika and visit some of the orphanages her charity supports.

Credit: BBC