08:24 17/06/2015
London - Michelle Obama's visit to a girls' school in a diverse
east London neighborhood turned into a love fest Tuesday when she was
greeted with singing, poetry and interpretative dance on her mission to
promote education for girls.
In return, the U.S. first lady spoke
from the heart about the role education played in her remarkable rise
from a tough working-class environment, and the need for girl students
to fight discrimination and cut their own proud swath in the world.
"The
world needs more girls like you growing up to lead our parliaments and
our board rooms and our courtrooms and our universities," Obama said,
visibly moved. "We need you."
She came to London to promote her
"Let Girls Learn" initiative, which now has the backing of the British
government. The two nations on Tuesday announced plans to support girls'
education in countries affected by crisis such as Sierra Leone, Liberia
and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
About
$200 million will be devoted to the efforts, which also include
supporting teacher training, girls' leadership camps and other community
based programs.
Obama said there are more than 62 million girls
with no chance to go to school — a basic right she said should be
extended to every girl on the planet. She cited unaffordable school
fees, early and forced marriages and pregnancies, and also societal
beliefs that girls are simply less worthy as some of the factors holding
girls back from reaching their potential.
Girls in their maroon
school uniforms waved American flags and screamed with excitement as
Obama arrived at the Mulberry School for Girls in the Tower Hamlets
neighborhood.
She told the student audience, which included many
Muslims, that they might hear people make stereotyped comments about
their religion but that they cannot afford to be discouraged.
"You
might wonder if people will ever look beyond your headscarf to see who
you really are," she said. "But with your education from this amazing
school you have everything you need to rise above it."
Obama was
joined by Justine Greening, Britain's International Development
Secretary, and former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard. They
argued that countries that educate girls on an equal basis with boys
reap many benefits.
"It has a direct impact on national economies. It's hard to argue with the facts," Obama said.
The
first lady brought her teenage daughters Malia and Sasha and her mother
Marian Robinson on the trip and they all had tea with Prince Harry at
Kensington Palace before the school visit.
They also planned to have tea with Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha at 10 Downing Street.
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