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FFirst Lady Melania Trump visited a school in Malawi that struggled to manage her pupil / teacher ratio and donated more than 1.4 million textbooks on Thursday.
A crowd of singing children welcomed Trump at Chipala Primary School in Lilongwe, capital of Malawi, where she observed classes taught in Chichewa and English – each class with more than 100 students.
The number of students enrolled in schools in this poor country has increased dramatically since Malawi introduced free primary education in 1994, according to the US Agency for International Development. Large class sizes have resulted in poor student performance, particularly in literacy.
More than 8,000 children attend the school visited by Trump. The school, which receives assistance from USAID, employs only 75 teachers. Earlier this year, the Trump administration sought to cut the USAID budget by 33 percent, but faced bipartisan resistance.
"I wanted to be here to see the successful programs that [the] United States provides the kids and thanks for everything you have done, "Trump said at the donation ceremony, according to the Associated Press.
"Meeting these kids and understanding their different way of life is why I wanted to travel here," she added.
Trump also distributed footballs and "Be Best" school supplies. She then met Malawi's first lady, Gertrude Mutharika, to discuss the importance of education.
On their way to the residence of the US ambassador, white protesters held a sign saying, "Welcome to Malawi. #NOTASHITHOLE! ", Referring to the president who would have used the term earlier this year, speaking of immigrants from several countries, including from Africa.
President Trump, who stayed in Washington, congratulated his wife for his work.
"The great first lady of our country, Melania, is doing really well in Africa," he wrote. "People love her and she loves them! It's a beautiful thing to see. "
The great first lady of our country, Melania, is doing really well in Africa. People love her and she loves them! It's a beautiful thing to see.
– Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)
October 4, 2018
The first lady visited four African countries this week as part of her "Be Best" initiative, which focuses on the well-being of children.
She went to Ghana on Tuesday and Wednesday to visit a Ghanaian hospital, have tea with first lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo and go to a former slave house.
Trump flew to Kenya later in the day on Thursday and will stop in Egypt before returning to the United States.
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