Oprah ruffles feathers

Oprah Winfrey celebrated her New Year in South Africa by opening up the $40 million girls school she paid for. Oprah made a promise to Nelson Mandela six years ago that she would come to South Africa and help the children. The new school will give an education to 150 girls. The school located in Henley-on-Klip is called Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy. How fitting. Tina Turner, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige and Spike Lee were all in attendance. They each brought a personally inscribed book for the school. Mariah can’t read! They asked her to bring a book and she probably brought her own Tour book with dazzling pictures of her.

Oprah also ruffled a few feathers when she said that she chose to do this in Africa and not the US, because children here don’t give a damn. She said, “I became so frustrated with visiting inner-city schools [in the U.S.]. If you ask the kids what they want or need, they will say an iPod or some sneakers. In South Africa, they don’t ask for money or toys. They ask for uniforms so they can go to school.”

Um…do those girls really need a nail salon and a yoga studio? Because Oprah made sure to include one when she opened the school.

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Message edited 1/2/2007 11:32:55 AM.

Re: Oprah ruffles feathers

Re: Oprah ruffles feathers

I don't see anything wrong with a yoga studio- but a nail salon- that's odd

Re: Oprah ruffles feathers

ok I don't know who writes these things, but obviously it's a mean a-hole. what has he or she ever done to improve mankind?

Re: Oprah ruffles feathers

Re: Oprah ruffles feathers

Posted by SweetestOfPeas

ok I don't know who writes these things, but obviously it's a mean a-hole. what has he or she ever done to improve mankind?

Re: Oprah ruffles feathers

That's bizarre a yoga - studio. I can see opening a dance studio, cooking school or an activity place for the kids to have fun after school.

Re: Oprah ruffles feathers

I saw her interview about opening the school. Oprah said that when she tried to help inner-city girls in Chicago, it was thrown back in her face and it backfired. She said she took those girls under her wing...taught them diction, how to conduct themselves in public, manners, posture. Brought them shopping for proper clothes, got their hair done in a modest style.

When those girls went back home to the inner city, they were ridiculed and told, "who the he** do you think you are?" Oprah felt defeated. She did a follow-up with the girls, and they were back to their old ways.

She also said she set up this school in Africa because they don't have system there.

I applaud her. She is such an amazing woman who does wonderful things for people.

Re: Oprah ruffles feathers

What she is doing is great! She could be sitting on her azz enjoying her billions all to herself. At least she is trying to make a difference somewhere.

Who cares what she included in the school, yoga / nail salon. Whatever it is, its more than the kids ever had before and more importantly now they can get an education.