Music superstar and global education ambassador Rihanna spent last weekend in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe.
The Pop superstar was in Malawi on behalf of her non-profit, the Clara Lionel Foundation, according to local newspaper Nyasa Times.
Rihanna spent Friday meeting with students of Lilongwe Girls Secondary School.
During her visit, Rihanna was dressed very simply in a pair of trousers and a shirt with no make-up, a noticeable departure from the outlandish, edgy outfits associated with the Barbadian-born superstar.
She also spent time with key educators, government officials, students, and mentors to promote the activities of her foundation.
Rihanna, whose real name is Robyn Fenty, was accompanied on the trip by the Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans as well as Global Partnership for Education (GPE) board chairperson Julia Gillard.
As a Global Ambassador for GPE, Rihanna works to promote education in more than 60 developing countries, prioritizing those with the most need, including children in conflict and in crisis areas.
Rihanna later visited the district of Mchinji, located in the central region near Malawi’s border with Zambia.
Photo credit: Nyasa Times
Rihanna, 28, hit the international limelight in 2005, following the release of her debut album, “Music of the Sun,” and the lead single “Pon de Replay”:
Since then, the former military cadet has gone on to release scores of chart topping hits, including “Umbrella” and “Disturbia,” which have earned her eight Grammy Awards and 12 Billboard Music Awards.
In 2012, she launched the charity the Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF), named after her grandparents Clara and Lionel Braitwaithe. As part of its mission, the foundation aims to support innovative and effective education programs around the world.
It encourages teachers, students, advocates, and allies to reach across borders to join the fight for the basic right to education for all. It also works to improve health, education, and arts and culture around the world.
Rihanna is also involved with a number of other charities. Since 2016, CLF has partnered with the Global Partnership for Education and Global Citizen on a multi-year initiative to support education across the world.
Through this partnership, Rihanna hopes to reach out to the more than 250 million children around the world who are out of school. In addition to the about 330 million students who aren’t receiving proper education.
