Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (Empowering Woman)

The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy is no doubt a dream world for these girls. It is
luxurious; way beyond expectations and far better than the living
conditions in their hometowns. When the girls arrive at the
28-building, 50-acre campus of the Leadership Academy in
Henley-on-Klip, South Africa, they find themselves sharing a bedroom
with only one other person—and their own bed, no less. They also find
fireplaces in every building, state-of-the-art technology, sports
fields, and art and decorations by African artists, all of which
contribute to a nurturing and supportive, yet rigorous, educational
environment. It is an oasis for any learner, but it is especially so
for these girls, who come from the poorest rural areas of South Africa.

The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls - South Africa supports the development of a new generation of women leaders who, by virtue of their education and leadership, will lead the charge to positively transform themselves, their communities and the larger world around them.
To accomplish this goal, the Academy provides a rigorous and supportive educational environment for academically talented girls who
come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Academy strives to equip its learners with the intellectual and social skills necessary to assume positions of leadership in South
African society and beyond.

legally allowed for racial discrimination, segregation and human rights
violations which were only abolished in the early nineties. Few have
running water in their homes; a family of seven is likely to share a
two-room shack; health care is limited; education is minimal,
especially for girls, who are more likely to stay home and take care of
family members, and as many as one million South African children have
been orphaned due to the AIDS epidemic.

The reason for starting with a just-for-girls school is that, although there is a lack
of education for both girls and boys in Africa, the girls suffer the
most, since they are less likely to receive the opportunity for
education. Yet, studies show that educating girls has the most impact
on the community. They return home to teach their families, and their
own children, about the importance of education. They become empowered,
and empower others; and therefore, future generations are better able
to provide for themselves.

So, when some criticize Oprah for spending $40 million on 450 girls, when that money could have supplied thousands with food, health care, and
education, it doesn’t take much imagination to see the other side of
the coin in this argument. Through focusing on the relatively small
number of girls hand-selected to attend the School for Leadership. Oprah is
actually increasing the possibility that these girls will truly make a
difference, and, as one 12-year-old student says, “go out there and
change the world.”