Melania Trump in Malawi, Next Stop on Goodwill Africa Tour
First lady Melania Trump is escorted by head teacher Maureen Masi as she arrives for a visits Chipala Primary School, in Lilongwe, Malawi, Oct. 4, 2018.
LILONGWE, MALAWI —
U.S. first lady Melania Trump visited Malawi Thursday on the second leg of her four-nation tour of Africa.
Trump landed in the capital, Lilongwe, and went to a primary school where about 8,000 children are taught by just 75 teachers. She watched children taking part in an English lesson and later spoke with some of the teachers.
"Thank you for educating them to be best," she said, echoing the name of her child welfare program unveiled earlier this year.
The White House is donating school supplies to the children, including tote bags, chalk and soccer balls, and says the U.S. Agency for International Development is making a large donation of textbooks.
Trump was greeted at the airport by her Malawian counterpart, Gertrude Maseko, who will later host Trump for a private tea at the state house.
The White House said Malawi was chosen as a destination because of the country's high poverty rate and the difficulties that children — especially girls — have in accessing education.
WATCH: Melania Trump Brings "Be Best" to Lilongwe, Malawi
Most Malawians who spoke with VOA were unaware of the U.S. first lady's visit, but those who were said they hope this visit will be a message of goodwill and friendship between Malawi and the United States.
Despite 50 years of peaceful independence, Malawi remains one of the poorest nations in the world, with more than half of its 17 million population living below the poverty line and roughly 40 percent unable to read.
Melania Trump in Malawi
1/11First lady Melania Trump is escorted by head teacher Maureen Masi as she arrives for a visits Chipala Primary School, in Lilongwe, Malawi, Oct. 4, 2018.
2/11First lady Melania Trump sits with a student during language class as she visits Chipala Primary School, in Lilongwe, Malawi, Oct. 4, 2018.
3/11First lady Melania Trump sits with a students and head teacher Maureen Masi during language class as she visits Chipala Primary School, in Lilongwe, Malawi, Oct. 4, 2018.
4/11First lady Melania Trump helps a student as she visits a language class at Chipala Primary School, in Lilongwe, Malawi, Oct. 4, 2018.
5/11First lady Melania Trump walks with head teacher Maureen Masi to observe an outdoor class as she visits Chipala Primary School, in Lilongwe, Malawi, Oct. 4, 2018.
6/11First lady Melania Trump and head teacher Maureen Masi watch children play with soccer balls at Chipala Primary School, in Lilongwe, Malawi, Oct. 4, 2018.
7/11First lady Melania Trump arrives at Lilongwe International Airport, in Lumbadzi, Malawi, Oct. 4, 2018.
8/11U.S. first lady Melania Trump walks past children holding flags as she arrives in Lilongwe, Malawi, Oct. 4, 2018.
9/11First lady Melania Trump is greeted by Malawi first lady Gertrude Maseko and a flower girl as she arrives at Lilongwe International Airport, in Lumbadzi, Malawi, Oct. 4, 2018.
10/11First lady Melania Trump is greeted a flower girl as she arrives at Lilongwe International Airport, in Lumbadzi, Malawi, Oct. 4, 2018.
11/11First lady Melania Trump boards a plane at Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana, Oct. 4, 2018.
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US aid
American aid programs remain important for meeting crucial needs in countries like Malawi. During her stop, the first lady is expected to highlight the Trump administration’s support for vulnerable groups through the USAID program.
USAID funds for Africa were slated for significant cuts in the Trump administration’s proposed budget, although the cuts have not been approved by Congress.
Ghana visit
On Tuesday and Wednesday, Trump was in Ghana, where she visited a former slave holding facility, Cape Coast Castle.
Kenya and Egypt are the next stops on her African tour, which follows her husband’s reported disparaging comments about Africa and immigrants from the region.
Melania Trump Visits Ghana's Cape Coast
1/10U.S. first lady Melania Trump lays a wreath during a visit to Cape Coast castle, Ghana, October 3, 2018.
2/10First lady Melania Trump tours Cape Coast Castle with Cape Coast Castle museum educator Kwesi Essel-Blankson in Cape Coast, Ghana, Oct. 3, 2018.
3/10U.S. first lady Melania Trump visits Cape Coast castle, Ghana, October 3, 2018.
4/10U.S. first lady Melania Trump walks through a courtyard during a visit to Cape Coast castle, Ghana, October 3, 2018.
5/10U.S. first lady Melania Trump visits Cape Coast castle, Ghana, October 3, 2018.
6/10U.S. first lady Melania Trump visits Cape Coast castle, Ghana, October 3, 2018.
7/10First lady Melania Trump looks up as she walks through the "Door Of No Return" with Cape Coast Castle museum educator Kwesi Essel-Blankson as she visits Cape Coast Castle in Cape Coast, Ghana, Oct. 3, 2018.
8/10U.S. first lady Melania Trump signs a visitors book during a visit to Cape Coast castle, Ghana, October 3, 2018.
9/10US First lady Melania Trump arrives at Emintsimadze Palace on the Cape Coast of Ghana, Oct. 3, 2018.
10/10A welcome ceremony for US first lady Melania Trump at the Emintsimadze Palace on the Cape Coast of Ghana, Oct. 3, 2018.
