Oprah Winfrey Opens Girls School in South Africa

Friday, January 05, 2007

Oprah Winfrey has always been one to put her money where her heart is.  At the moment her heart is in Africa. Oprah has just opened an all girls school in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls is a $40 million dollar project. Sprawled over 50 acres this school is equipped with air conditioning, heating, a gym, a conference room, a auditorium, dorms, a kitchen, electricity, phones and computers. Modern conveniences for most of the world, these things are rare in many parts of Africa. Tuition is free and includes uniforms, lodging, books, and meals. Oprah hand picked all the young women herself.  Oprah has told reporters that she plans on spending much of her time at her new school and may even teach a few classes. To qualify for the academy the student’s family must earn under $10,000 a year. These young women come from all African nations and not just South Africa.

South Africa is note worthy for being at the center of the 1980’s anti apartheid movement. The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls is a mile stone for this country and all African nations.  Much of Africa is stricken with poverty with many of the families living on less than $3.00 a day.  Schools usually charge user fees and families can not afford to send their children to school.  Those who do will send the male children before the female child. Oprah hopes to give many of these families some hope with her new school. By attending school these young women will have opportunities to learn.  A lack of education is a contributing factor to poverty.

Oprah upset many people when asked why there were no white children in her school. She responded by saying that she does not have to please the white people of South Africa.  Most whites in South Africa do not live in poverty.

Oprah says that she plans on building another school in the near future.  Her next school will be for both young women and young men.