Issue date: 3/20/07 Section: Editorial

On Friday, talk show mogul and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey opened her second leadership academy in South Africa.

The Oprah Leadership Academy for Girls provides the necessary vehicle for select South African girls to receive a first-class education and to go on to college.

"All of my adult life I have been searching for a way to give back what I've been given," Oprah said. "The greatest gift I know you can give is the gift of learning … education was my path to possibility."

However, while Oprah's intentions are noble, she has received a lot of flack from American spectators who believe Oprah should have built her schools at home in America where good schools are much needed.

Oprah's reasons for not building her schools in America rest on the basis that American children simply do not appreciate education as much as children in regions where education is a luxury.

Oprah said when she asked students in American classrooms what they wanted, they responded with such things as iPods, sneakers and other merchandise.

But when Oprah asked a young South African student what she wanted most, she replied "a uniform" so she could attend school.

Is Oprah wrong in investing her money in schools abroad that will aid in educating African girls? Absolutely not!

Another difference between America and South Africa is that America has every means to create top-notch schools, the application just is not always there.

For example, while billions of dollars have been spent in Iraq, they could have built hundreds of schools across the nation and hired thousands of excellent teachers.

Criticism of Oprah distributing her money for the betterment of Africa's underprivileged is unfair. If America wants better schools for American children, go to the American government for a response.

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