Educational Dopeness :: Oprah’s South Africa School Celebrates 1st Graduating Class

January 14, 2012 by Kellie Williams in Latest News with 1 Comment

In 2007, Oprah Winfrey invested $40 million to open the elite Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in Henley on Klip in South Africa. And now, she has the honor of celebrating with the first 72 graduates. The 57-year-old was inspired by her own humble background to give girls a chance at a more successful future explaining,

“I know what it’s like to be a poor girl with your hearts’ desire to do well in the world. I chose to use my philanthropy to do what I know.”

And thanks to her generosity, they are slated to attend universities across Africa and the U.S with hopeful careers in medicine, law, engineering and economics. And over a dozen of them are heading out with a scholarship in tow. Mam Oprah, her affectionate nickname from the girls, is undoubtedly a very proud woman in her investment as her school was part of, “just 544 out of some 6,500 South African schools whose entire graduating class passed national final exams last year.”

On the eve of the graduation she said,

“We’re taking a victory lap here, for transformation. Every single girl is going to leave here with something greater to offer the world than her body.”

The ceremony will be held over the weekend. Congratulations to the graduating class!

[Daily Mail & Jezebel]

– @Ayo_Leslo