Swiss tennis star Roger Federer launched on Tuesday a $3.3 million school project that will be established in Malawi. The project aims to place more than 50,000 children living in the impoverished South African country in the next ten years.
In a statement, Federer said: “As the father of two little girls, I observe every day how incredibly fast children learn if their environment is a stimulating one.”
“It is a great privilege for me and my foundation to help give children in Malawi the chance to reach their full potential,” the 16-time Grand Slam champion added.
The program is made possible through Roger Federer Foundation with the collaboration with Action Aid Malawi, a development organization. The program targets to build 80 child care centers in six districts. The center will accommodate kids ages three to five years old.
Action Aid Country Director Martha Khonje said that the centers will have classrooms and playgrounds. Educational supplies will be available and the kids will enjoy nutritious meals.
“In a country where nearly half of all children under five are chronically malnourished and over three million children under eight are out of school, the initiative could not have come soon enough,” Khonje said in an interview with AFP.
