Speaking in the presence of her four children including the two she adopted from Malawi, she said: “Glowing as a young woman, I took my education and many things in life for granted and coming to Malawi four years ago opened my eyes and I realized that as an individual I could do something and all I needed was to set the pace.”

"I intended to do something for Malawi when I heard of the plight of Malawian children some four years ago and the establishment of a girls' academy sounded very logical," she said at the groundbreaking ceremony.

Madonna, 51, is working closely on the school that will house 500 girls. She said she is determined to make “future female leaders” out of girls from across the country.

Despite the ceremony being delayed for close to 40 minutes due to the late arrival of Malawian minister of education, Madonna dressed in a black dress, donning dark sunglasses and accompanied by daughter Lourdes braved the hot dusty atmosphere at the project site.

She revealed she had developed passion for the girl-child education following her very experiences as a young student. She said although she has always regarded Malawian women very industrious, women in the country were given little opportunities compared to those given to their male peers.

Few women in school

“I have since my first coming to Malawi realized that a few women are encouraged to go to school in this country and the result is that they are not economically and socially empowered such that when people ask me how I chose Malawi out of all countries I tell them Malawi chose me,” said the material girl adding” I am to use some of the traditional dance antics I have seen from performances of the women dance troupe”.

Speaking earlier Raising Malawi cofounder, Michael Berg joined Madonna in thanking the Malawi leadership for the positive support they are giving to the projects.

“We never imagined the impact and success the project when we started a few years ago, and I am glad Madonna is putting her money and efforts for the needy children in Malawi,” he said.

Raising Malawi Chief Executive Officer, Anjimire Ntira Opiyo said the academy would go a long way in improving the welfare of Malawian girls.

She dismissed rumor that had recently been taking turns that the project failed to start in time because of a land dispute that had erupted between the raising Malawi foundation and some local chiefs.

Madonna is later today expected to visit Malawian president Bingu Wa Mutharika before proceeding to Salima where she has acquired a lakeside cottage. She is expected out of Malawi Sunday.