Michelle Obama had an auspicious ceremonial meeting with schoolgirls in Londan when she traveled to the British capital to promote education for girls.
The Schoolgirls in east London greeted U.S. first lady with song, interpretive dance and squeals of joy.
Girls in maroon uniforms waved American flags to warmly welcome Obama at the Mulberry School for Girls. Michelle Obama’s visit was to promote the “Let Girls Learn” initiative, launched earlier this year. Visibly moved, she told the girls many of whom come from working-class backgrounds that she understood the struggles they faced and that she wanted them to succeed.
She pointed out that the current world needs more growing up girls to lead parliaments, board rooms, courtrooms and universities.
Obama’s visit highlights that education for girls is a distant dream in major part of the world. She exposed the truth of unaffordable school fees, early and forced marriages and pregnancies, and also the beliefs in the societies that girls are simply less worthy as just some of the factors which hold girls back.
Obama has urged world leaders to open the school gates for girls everywhere arguing that it is a heartbreaking injustice to have 62 million girls out of school. She appealed for durable actions, declaring education as a security, economic and health issue as far as the girls are concerned.
Obama said that every time she met these girls on her journey abroad, she was blown away by their passion, intelligence and hunger to learn. Obama added that, like her own girls, each of these young women had the spark of something extraordinary inside. According to her the only difference was that her girls have had the opportunity to develop their promises.
The U.S. and Britain have announced plans to expand their commitment in this regard. They are to support girls’ education in countries affected by crisis such as Sierra Leone, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
They will be devoting about $200 million for such educational purposes, which include supporting teacher training, girls’ leadership camps and other community based programs.
Later, Obama, her two daughters and her mother had tea with Prince Harry. She will
also meet Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife, Samantha as part of the visit.
Video on Mrs. Obama’s meeting with London schoolgirls
