Thursday, 3 August 2006

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Madonna to help orphans in Africa

The singer says she feels responsible for the children of the world

Madonna has committed to helping orphans in Malawi, Africa, she tells Time magazine in its new issue.

'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, who has pledged to raise at least $3 million for Malawi programs, tells Time. 'I've been doing bits and bobs about it and I suppose I was looking for a big, big project I could sink my teeth into.'

That big project includes financing a $1 million documentary about the plight of the orphans, as well as a partnership with developing-world economic guru Jeffrey Sachs on programs to improve the health, agriculture and economy of a Malawi village.

Malawi, a southeast African nation of 12 million people, is plagued by AIDS and malaria and is home to about 1 million orphans.

Madonna has also met with Bill Clinton to see if they can work together to bring low-cost medicines to the area, Time reports.

Her plan will kick into high gear next week, when ground will be broken on an orphan-care center in Malawi that will be able to feed and educate as many as 1,000 children a day.

Madonna has yet to set foot in Africa, but plans to go in October.