Pop diva Madonna marked the launch of her $13.5 million girls' academy in Malawi by planting a sapling and vowing to provide the locals with the same education opportunities that she got. Madonna flew down to the homeland of her two adopted children - David Banda and Mercy James - to lay the first brick of the school, which will be funded by her charity Raising Malawi, reported contactmusic.com.

Explaining her reasons for wanting to finance the project, she said: "Growing up in a privileged life, I took education for granted, but coming to Malawi has taught me a lot of things and I have learned to appreciate what life gives."

The facility will provide education for 200 local girls who are too poor to afford schooling and will cost $13.5 million to build.