Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls Via South Africa

While watching Oprah's After the Show program, I was intrigued by a question one of the audience members asked in regards to Oprah's new leadership academy. This new academy for the South African girls initially broke ground on Dec 6, 2002 giving them the chance they would most likely never receive without the help of Oprah's foundation and Nelson Mandela's commitment.

In this segment, Oprah shared some of the warm encounters with some of the very destitute young women, all between the ages of eleven and twelve years olds, longing to be part of the special program. She talked about one young woman in particular, who worried constantly about not being able to belong to the program because, if she wasn't accepted she would never be able to continue her school learning at home.

When asked "why" Oprah was told because she would have to take care of her family instead. Most of these young girls have to become adults at a very early age in order to survive. Another young woman told Oprah that she would be blessed for what she had done for them. Oprah's response was that she was already very blessed.

Insisting that she have not been blessed enough, she went on to explained to Oprah what she meant, "Do you know Ms. Oprah that I have slept on the floor with my sister all my life, and now I will have a bed of my very own!" the girl exclaimed teary eyed. "Yes, and just the fact that I am giving you a bed to lay your head is a blessing to me." Oprah responded. These young oppressed girls have never seen running water or toilet's flush, let alone having a bed to sleep comfortable in.

Walking miles at a time with five gallon buckets of water on their heads were nothing new to their lifestyles, so when seeing running facet water for the first time, these girls became so excited as they watched in awe. Oprah stated that these young women are use to using one bar of soap for everything that is needed to be cleaned including, washing themselves, the dishes and their laundry. So with this she will now not only be supplying the girls with a place to live year round, but with the separate sanitary supplies of shampoos and bar soaps.

As quoted from the website of, Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls.com: "Female students chosen for admission will be those who are academically talented and exhibit leadership skills in their community, but whose families cannot support their educations. The academy will begin admitting 75 students in grades 7 through 12 and will continue to add students in the 7th and 10th grades until 450 students are accommodated."

"The academy will be located on 22 acres of land in Henley-on-Klip, Meyerton, in Guateng Province. The buildings and landscape will offer a safe and nurturing educational and residential environment for girls and will maintain the architectural integrity of the surrounding community. It will include state-of-the-art classrooms, computer and science labs, a library, an auditorium/gymnasium, an amphitheater, sports fields, modern dorm facilities and a dining hall."

During the program the woman who originally asked the question regarding the academy, also asked if they were staffed with teachers and counselors. Oprah informed her that they were looking to do that very soon. When asked what her profession was, the woman informed her that she was a principal for a formal school and would love to get involved with the program. At that point Oprah offered her a job on the spot.

To me, this is a wonderful opportunity for these young women to have a more fruitful outlook on life. I want to commend Oprah for her gracious work that she has provided, in order to bring this meaningful blessing to life.