Rihanna’s Humanitarian Mission in Malawi Highlights Education Challenges and Hope

Rihanna, known globally for her music career and philanthropic efforts, recently undertook a significant mission to Malawi. As a global ambassador for the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and founder of the Clara Lionel Foundation, she visited Muzu primary school to observe firsthand the educational challenges facing the country.

In a newly released mini-documentary, Rihanna, accompanied by Malawi’s Minister of Education Emmanuel Fabiano, former Australian Prime Minister and GPE board chair Julia Gillard, and Global Citizen co-founder Hugh Evans, discussed critical issues such as education, poverty, health, and safety that hinder progress in Malawi.

“I’m really here to see it,” Rihanna expressed. “It’s one thing to read statistics, but I want to see it firsthand and find out all that can be done and where to start first.”

Statistics from the Education Policy Data Center reveal that 57 percent of youths aged 15-24 in Malawi had not completed primary education by 2014, with only 7 percent completing secondary education. The video highlighted challenges such as overcrowded classrooms with a student-teacher ratio of up to 100-1, which hampers learning and often leads to dropout rates. Poverty exacerbates these challenges, limiting educational opportunities for many children.

“It’s such a pity that they have to drop out because they are so smart,” Rihanna remarked empathetically. “It’s sad that that has to end for some of them, because they could probably do so much if they had the resources to continue and complete.”

During her visit, Rihanna engaged with educators, students, parents, and officials at Muzu who are dedicated to improving conditions and building a brighter future for children in Malawi. Despite the hardships, Rihanna witnessed the resilience and optimism of the children, who continued their education through songs and dance. She actively participated in activities, from helping solve math problems to empowering female students who proudly asserted their capabilities with chants of “girls rule” in the schoolyard.

“It’s amazing, the way they learn,” Rihanna reflected. “I love that they learn in melody. Kids adopt melody really quickly. If you can use that as a learning tool, I think that’s the most brilliant thing.”

Rihanna’s visit not only shed light on the educational challenges in Malawi but also underscored her commitment to making a positive impact through her foundation and global initiatives. Her advocacy for quality education and support for disadvantaged communities continue to inspire hope and drive change worldwide.

Maya Jones, associate editor at The Undefeated, contributed reporting from New Orleans, where she enjoys the vibrant culture and community spirit of her hometown.