Madonna Celebrates Launch Of Expanded Pakistani School

Pop superstar Madonna is celebrating after helping to launch a new school in Pakistan, a year after promising to fund the construction of the facility with help from fan donations.

The Material Girl hitmaker made the vow onstage at London's The Sound of Change concert last summer, when she called on the public to join her Revolution of Love campaign and throw their support behind Pakistani activist Humaira Bachal, who has been fighting for better education for young girls.

Speaking at the 2013 event, Madonna said, 'Let's help Humaira build a bigger school in Pakistan! How 'bout this? You build the first floor, I'll build the rest of the school. Let's do this together...!'

'I keep telling people that I want to start a revolution. Until you learn to read and write, you can't ask the question why. You can't do this without an education. Education is not a luxury, it is a basic human right.'

The singer made good on her pledge and the newly-expanded Dream Model Street School in Karachi opened last week.

Madonna, who has been involved in building similar schools in Malawi, shared a photo of the completed building on her Instagram.com page on Sunday and in the accompanying caption, she wrote, 'The Revolution of Love continues in Pakistan! The Dream School is finally finished. 1200 kids attending. Knowledge is Power!'

From contactmusic.com

The Dream School is finished: Knowledge is Power!

The Ray of Light Foundation have opened The Dream School in Pakistan with 1200 children able to attend. Madonna posted these messages and pictures on her Instagram account:

'The Revolution of Love continues in Pakistan! The Dream School is finally finished. 1200 kids attending😜knowledge is Power! #rayoflight #livingforlove'

'Girls learning at the Dream School #appreciation'

Madonna Announces David Blaine As Guest Curator

Madonna has confirmed David Blaine as the December guest curator for Art for Freedom. Guest curators collaborate with Madonna to select daily submissions to be showcased on artforfreedom.com.

'Madonna, who has always been an incredible inspiration, invited me to be a part of Art for Freedom. It's an amazing platform to bring artists together and I look forward to seeing the brilliance this generates.'

'I am excited David is signing on as guest curator. This is only the beginning of Art for Freedom bringing artists together to change the world.' commented Madonna.

As part of the Art For Freedom initiative, David Blaine will work with Madonna to select one artist from their respective month whose creative expression demonstrates a unique view of the fight for human rights. Madonna will then award a $10,000 grant to a nonprofit organization of the winning artist's choice. All projects must be focused on the values of Art For Freedom.

The latest freedom fighters chosen to receive an Art for Freedom grant are Amber Fares and the Speed Sisters - a documentary about the Middle East's first all women motor racing team. Against a backdrop of social and political upheaval, Speed Sisters presents an inspiring look into the drive to be true to oneself. The grant will go towards finishing the film. You can see more on the project here - https://vimeo.com/79217415

Launched in September 2013, Art For Freedom is a global digital initiative, led by Madonna in partnership with VICE Media, designed to fuel free speech - to respond, address and protest persecution and discrimination around the world. It is an online public art project encouraging people to express their personal meaning of freedom and revolution, in the form of video, music, poetry, and photography. Public submissions become part of the Art For Freedom website: contributors can join the project by uploading original artwork or tagging original posts #artforfreedom. The project was launched with the film secretprojectrevolution, co-directed by Madonna and Steven Klein.

VICE Media continues to serve as co-curator of Art for Freedom, leveraging VICE's extensive global network of filmmakers, artists, writers, musicians, museums, and more, to contribute works to the project.

From Madonna.com

The Revolution of Love is coming!

Madonna posted a new video with the caption: 'Starting Monday Night! Details This Weekend........... Stay tuned! ‪#‎artforfreedom‬'

Madonna wants to start a 'revolution of love'

Madonna called on fans to start a 'revolution of love' at the Sound of Change concert.
The 'Hung Up' hitmaker was one of the A-list stars to lend her support to the charity gig - which was organised by fashion house Gucci's Chime for Change female empowerment campaign - at London's Twickenham Stadium and urged people to join her in changing the world through education.
The 54-year-old star took the stage, saying: 'I keep telling people I want to start a revolution, but my revolution doesn't involve bloodshed and violence. My revolution starts with education. My revolution is about achieving a higher level of consciousness, but this cannot start without education.'
'We cannot change this world, nor begin to treat each other with human dignity, without an education. Let tonight be the beginning of this revolution because education is not a luxury, it is a basic human right.'
'I invite you all to join my revolution of love. Join me tonight. The revolution of love starts here.'
During her show-stopping performance, 'On the Floor' hitmaker Jennifer Lopez also chimed for change, adding: 'I believe my girls out there deserve the best education. They deserve the best in health. And I believe in justice for my girls everywhere.'
The star-studded Sound of Change concert - which benefits education, health and justice for women around the world, particularly in underprivileged countries - was headlined by 'Love on Top' singer Beyonce and also featured performances from Florence + the Machine, Jessie J and Rita Ora.
Other stars who appeared on stage to support the cause included Hollywood stars Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, James Franco, Zoe Saldana and Jessica Chastain.

From contactmusic.com