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Trump, who as a first lady only traveled abroad accompanying her husband, is leaving for her first trip to the region on Monday, October 1st.
Trump revealed that she will work closely on this trip with the US Agency for International Development.
"There are many programs across the country that are doing great things for kids, and I believe we can replicate many of these programs overseas," Trump said in his remarks Wednesday. "That's why I'm excited to be working closely with USAID to prepare for my first major international trip to Africa." Working with developing countries around the world to help them become self-reliant, USAID's work embodies " Be Best "is synonymous with". "
Although Trump unveiled "Be Best" in May as its main platform to help children, she still has to make an important trip like this to promote her cause. She also did not explain how she intends to influence politics. However, on Wednesday, Trump presented a video of his efforts and talked about goals.
"When I launched" Be Best ", the goal was to combat some of the problems that children face today by highlighting effective programs and organizations that teach children about the challenges they face. tools and skills needed to ensure their emotional, social and physical well-being. "Trump said. "Since the launch, I have had the opportunity to meet children all over the world in order to talk to them about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and responsible habits."
Why Africa?
Stephanie Grisham, Trump's director of communications, told CNN that the first lady had chosen Africa for her first big solo tour well before the details and dates were in the proposal stage.
"Ms. Trump has always considered her first international trip to Africa," said Grisham, not to mention a day trip to Trump in Toronto, Canada, last September. "So, we knew we would do it from the very beginning."
Last month, in a statement, Mr. Trump said, "I am delighted to inform myself about the problems facing children across the continent, while learning about the rich culture and history of l & # 39; Africa. "
Grisham says that the overall planning of the trip began in February of this year, while the in-depth events and logistical work for the first woman's trip began in earnest this summer. When asked why October was the right time to go abroad, Grisham said that various factors, including Trump's schedule as "first lady of the United States and as a parent" , had been used to choose his route.
Regarding the details of Trump's Africa agenda, Grisham told CNN: "This is a diplomatic and humanitarian visit, which will include stops focused on health, education, conservation and tourism. children will be at the center of most stops. "
In Ghana, Trump said today that she will tout USAID's health care programs in this country.
"(USAID supports efforts to expand coverage and quality of health care for mothers and newborns and to educate women and young children on the importance of good nutrition".
Similarly in Malawi and Kenya, the First Lady indicated that she intended to highlight USAID and its efforts in education and skills development, as well as conservation and prevention of diseases. In Egypt, Trump said that she would focus on tourism.
"I know that thanks to USAID, we have worked with the Egyptian people to promote an environment in which all groups in society – including women and religious minorities – can lead productive and healthy lives," he said. she declared.
First ladies in Africa
Africa is a continent also favored by Trump's most recent predecessors, the first ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton, all of whom have visited several countries solo during their tenure. Obama chose Africa, particularly Botswana and South Africa, for his second solo trip abroad in 2011 (his first was in Mexico).
Bush made five visits to Africa as first lady, stopping in 15 countries in total.
And Clinton, who was the first lady to tour Africa, spent two weeks in sub-Saharan Africa in 1997 for a goodwill tour to Senegal, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Uganda and Eritrea. .
"It is very important for a first lady to be a global presence, while her role is primarily symbolic, most early modern ladies have proven that they can actually change and have a real impact on the policies that they have." They choose to promote, "said Kate Andersen Brower. a CNN contributor and author of "First Women: The Grace and Power of America's First First Ladies".
"I think this upcoming trip to Africa sends a strong message: the United States is engaged in the region and is helping to fight the claims that her husband made about the continent," Brower said.
Repair fences?
In January, CNN reported that President Donald Trump, speaking in camera about illegal immigration, had decried the "Shithole countries," with involvement in Africa.
Anita McBride, who was Laura Bush's chief of staff and has traveled to more than 60 countries with her former first lady during her four years of service, said Trump had the opportunity to repair a relationship with Africa. . remarks.
"To the extent that it is able to smooth out this shock for the agency and for the country, it would be a useful goal," said McBride. "Demonstrate how much USAID and the countries that it helps accomplish, and maybe it goes with extra intent to repair the feelings."
Brower said Trump would be wise on this trip to continue his role as the most compassionate half of the first couple, the counterbalance to her husband's blatant and often insulting way of making fun of his critics.
"It is important for Melania Trump to focus on her strengths and these seem to engage with young children, play with them, comfort them, that seems to come naturally to her," she said.
Trump seems to understand that this empathic component is essential to her role as first lady.
"Whether it's education, addiction, hunger, online safety or harassment, poverty or sickness, it's all too often children who are the first and the hardest hit," said Wednesday Trump. one year ago. "Each of us comes from a country with its own challenges, but I know we are united by our commitment to raising the next generation to be happy, healthy and morally responsible adults."
McBride said that visiting a first lady in Africa can have a lasting impact on her, largely due not necessarily to her goals or those of the administration, but to the people who are in the business. she meets and places that she sees.
"These are the people in these developing countries, some struggling to eradicate disease, poverty, sometimes coming out of government corruption – and yet they are the happiest and most spiritual people I've ever met," he said. said McBride. "My visits to Africa have changed my life and I hope the same for Mrs. Trump."
