Madonna’s Visit to Africa Turns Spotlight on Celebrities’ Charity

While the pop singer Madonna toured orphanages and met charity workers and government officials in Malawi last week, some charity workers questioned the impact of celebrity altruism on the world’s poorest continent, Reuters reports.

Madonna was there to help the Raising Malawi charity campaign, to which she has pledged $3-million, and to help publicize the plight of about 900,000 orphans in the impoverished African country.

George Gumulira, a local chief, said residents of nearby villages were grateful for the attention and for the new school built with money from the charity, which has earmarked $1.5-million for the village.

“We have lost many parents here. The school was built to give opportunities to the children,” said Mr. Gumulira.

But despite the gratitude of some, critics hinted that it was all part of a public-relations push. Some people questioned the singer’s motives when it was revealed that children at one of the orphanages would be taught a curriculum based on the Kabbalah school of Jewish mysticism, of which Madonna is a follower.

“To me, it’s a phase they (celebrities) are going through. There’s a lack of long-term commitment,” said one aid worker who asked to remain anonymous. “Madonna will raise awareness internationally, but locally not much will happen.”