Harvard’s Humanitarian Of The Year Is Helping Malawian Girls Go To School

What have we done to deserve Rihanna?

When she’s not busy releasing chart-topping albums, creating a clothing line and building her beauty empire, Rihanna somehow manages to dedicate her time to those in need. Founded in 2012, the singer’s Clara Lionel Foundation funds scholarship and education programs in her native Barbados and around the world and is now partnering with OFO to donate bicycles to girls in Malawi.

A very low percentage of children continue their education to secondary school in the African country, and the majority that do are boys due to the dangerous road conditions young girls face on their commute. By donating bikes, Rihanna and OFO hope to increase the share of girls continuing their education by giving them a safe and reliable mode of transport. 

Thrilled to join forces w/ @ofo_bicycle in support of our #GlobalScholarshipProgram and increasing access to quality education in Malawi! pic.twitter.com/FJbfjTUjgp

— Clara Lionel Fdn (@ClaraLionelFdn) August 1, 2017

In a statement about the partnership, the former Bazaar cover star commented: “I’m so happy about the Clara Lionel Foundation’s new partnership with OFO because it will help so many young people around the world receive a quality education, and also help the young girls of Malawi get to school safely, cutting down those very long walks they make to and from school all alone.”

The Valerian actress fist visited Malawi back in January with philanthropic organizations Global Citizen and the Global Partnership For Education and taught several classes in one of their largest schools. Touched by the experience, Rihanna said: “It’s such a pity that they have to drop out, because they are so smart. Everybody’s learning together and learning at the same pace, it seems. It’s sad that has to end for some of them, because they could probably do so much if they had the resources to continue and complete.”

See her teaching skills in action below: