Why did Michelle Obama donate $500,000 to girls’ education? Her reason is rooted in Scripture

Article By Tania Dawson // EEW Magazine // Philanthropy

Former U.S. first lady Michelle Obama recently announced that she is donating $500,000 to the Obama Foundation's Girls Opportunity Alliance Fund to support adolescent girls’ education around the world.

Credit: Girls Opportunity Alliance

Credit: Girls Opportunity Alliance

When asked why she gave such a generous donation, the “Becoming” author whose monetary gift is derived from 2018 and 2019 book tour merchandise sales, quoted a biblical principle from Luke 12:48: “To whom much is given, much is expected.”

The 55-year-old Christian philanthropist shared her thoughts on generosity and advocacy during a sit-down chat with “Today Show" co-host Jenna Bush Hager.

The conversation took place in southern Vietnam where Obama, also accompanied by actresses Julia Roberts and Lana Condor, spoke to students at a school in Long An province by the Mekong delta.

 “When you come to countries like these, you understand that, a little goes a long way,” said the New York Times best-seller, encouraging others to get involved, even if they don’t have a whole lot of money.

“You don’t need a half-a-million dollars,” she explained. “Some of these school fees are $20, $50, $100, so imagine what we can do if I take my resources, put them on the table, and urge folks around us, around the world, in our country, to match those dollars. I mean, that money will change a girl’s life.”

Obama’s ongoing advocacy for girls’ education began while her husband former U.S. president Barack Obama was in the White House. She continues that work through the Obama Foundation.

“It’s a privilege,” she said, speaking on how she feels about empowering others. “You put your money where your mouth is, and it was the plan all along.”

Obama says she is on a mission to help others see that “when you educate a girl, you’ll give them power and a voice and an opportunity to improve their lives and the lives of their families and the lives of their communities,” Obama said.


Previous
Previous

Gospel singer Micah Stampley among worship leaders and pastors who prayed for Trump at White House

Next
Next

Does your pastor need a sabbatical? Pastor Howard-John Wesley confesses that he does