Thursday, March 28, 2024

Prince’s Ex-Wife and Brother Open Fan-Funded 2nd School in Malawi

Manuela Testolini and Prince’s brother Omarr Baker attend opening of Phaso School in Malawi. (Sheryl Nields)
Manuela Testolini and Prince’s brother Omarr Baker attend opening of Phaso School in Malawi.

*Prince’s ex-wife Manuela Testolini and his brother Omarr Baker are in Malawi today (Jan 9) for the opening of a new school built with seed money from the late icon’s fans.

The Chisumbu School, located in the village of Chimbwinda, welcomed 174 students Monday for its first day of classes, reports Billboard. The school was founded by Testolini’s charity In a Perfect World, which broke ground last July on its first school in the southeast Africa country – the Phaso School in the village of Ng’ozo.

“After we announced the Phaso School, I received an email from Prince fans — NPG UK and the Purple Army — who wanted to contribute and be part of something that was tangible,” says Testolini. “So I asked if they’d like to work toward a second school. To me, this is their baby.”

Dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty and illiteracy in economically impoverished regions, In A Perfect World has built 24 primary schools in seven countries through its REACH (Rural Education and Community Harmony) program in partnership with buildOn. In addition to Malawi and Nepal, where another new school and educational centers are being planned, In A Perfect World has established schools in Mali, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Haiti and Nicaragua to benefit more than 3800 students.

Watch In A Perfect World’s video thanking fans:

Via Billboard:

Launched by Testolini in December 2005, In A Perfect World grew out of her work with Prince’s Love 4 One Another charity through which she first met the singer. “Anybody who knew Prince knows that he encouraged people to follow their passion,” says Testolini. “He asked me, ‘In your perfect world, what do you want to do?’ He was always about empowering communities, whether here or abroad. And he expected us to do the same.”

Of the foundation’s work since its inception, Testolini adds, “It’s one thing to talk about it. And it’s another to be there. But to actually watch the kids in the classrooms in communities where up to 90% of the people can’t read or write is completely overwhelming and beautiful.”

This past weekend, Testolini was honored by the Boys and Girls Club in Washington, D.C. on behalf of its Fearless Girls mentoring program. Concurrently, she announced that In A Perfect World is partnering with the Boys and Girls Club to expand her foundation’s youth ambassador program into the D.C. area. The program, which also operates in Minneapolis, will be relaunched in Los Angeles as well.

Next Monday (Jan. 16), in celebration of Martin Luther King Day, In A Perfect World will host a service day at Los Angeles’ Dorsey High School, bringing in 45 volunteers to revitalize the campus.

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