LOS ANGELES: Madonna is hoping her new Malawi girls school will put an end to the "brain drain happening in Africa" - by educating pupils so they can help rebuild the nation.

The pop superstar, who has adopted two children from the impoverished country, is currently in Malawi to launch the construction of the academy on Tuesday (06Apr10).

And she admits she has high hopes for the $15 million (£10 million) Raising Malawi Academy for Girls, scheduled to open its doors to 450 students next year (11).

She writes in a blog post for the Raising Malawi website, "It is with tremendous joy that I return to Malawi to lay the first brick in the Raising Malawi Academy for Girls. By educating girls, we will rebuild this community and raise this nation.

"We will stop the brain drain happening in so many African nations - our students will receive an internationally competitive education while incorporating local values...

"Having seen the determination in the eyes of these children, I know they have the strength to save Malawi - they just need to be given the tools... Once instilled with pride in their homeland, young women will understand the importance of remaining in Malawi and investing in their own communities.

"It is with hope for a bright future that I am here... The brick I will lay is not just the bedrock to a school - it is the foundation for our shared future."