Madonna Makes Like Oprah

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

03 Aug 2006 12:17 PM

Last week, numerous entertainment magazines were a buzz with the news that Madonna wanted more children. A few days later clarification came via an announcement that said the superstar was considering adopting a child. Now, in a preview of a soon to be published article in Time magazine the Material Girl finally sets the record straight: she's not planning to have more children right now, rather she is committing her time, money and energy to helping orphans in Malawi, Africa.

"Now that I have children and now that I have what I consider to be a better perspective on life, I have felt responsible for the children of the world," the singer tells Time magazine. To show her dedication to a cause she feels needs "support from all of us," Madonna tells the magazine that she has "pledged to raise at least $3 million for Malawi programs."

The project will include financing a $1 million documentary about "the plight of the orphans, as well as a partnership with anti-poverty crusader Dr. Jeffrey Sachs on programs to improve the health, agriculture and economy of a Malawi village."

You may be familiar with Sachs' name. He created a foundation "which works to make villages self-sufficient through such simple tools as schools, seeds and clean drinking water." In the past Sach has been able to enlist big name celebrities like U2's Bono and Angelina Jolie to back his cause. Now he can add Madonna's name to the list.

Another big name that Madonna plans to work with to support her Raising Malawi orphan project is former President Bill Clinton. Time magazine reports the singer and the former leader of the free world have met to see how they can bring low-cost medicine to the area.

Malawi is a southeast African nation of 12 million people--many who suffer from AIDS and malaria. In addition, it is also home to about 1 million orphans. Madonna plans to visit with as many of them as possible during her trip to Africa in October. When she gets there she will visit the site of a future orphan-care center in Malawi that will be able to "feed and educate as many as 1,000 children a day." If all goes according to plan the singer could make it to the region in time to see the building before the children do (groundbreaking for the orphan-care facility takes place next week). Here's my prediction: Shortly after her trip to Africa Madonna will show up as a guest on Oprah. I can see it now-the two mega-stars swapping stories about the progress of their African children's facilities. For those of you out of the loop, not long ago, Oprah partnered up with South Africa's Ministry of Education to build a model leadership school for girls. I'll be tuning into Oprah's new season to see if I am right about Madonna's appearance.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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