Rihanna's humanitarian work 'helps children shine bright like a diamond'

Rihanna’s humanitarian work ‘helps children shine bright like a diamond’

Barriers to education, Girls' education, Health and nutrition, Right to education

March 2, 2017

The singing superstar was named as Humanitarian of the Year by the Harvard Foundation for her work in advocating forÂ education, health care and girls' rights.

She’s sold more than 50 million albums, had countless Number Ones and picked up eight Grammy awards.

Singer, producer,Â fashion designer, actor, business woman. And nowÂ Rihanna has been recognised for her work in advocating for education and health care and speaking up for girls and women.

She was only 18 when she founded theÂ the BELIEVE Foundation, a charity to help critically ill children.Â And in 2012 she launched theÂ Clara Lionel Foundation, which supports and funds education and health programmes around the world.

https://twitter.com/VidmateOfficial/status/837213588850868224

She also became the first global ambassador for theÂ Global Partnership for Education last year – using her voice to advocate for support for education programmes.

This week Rihanna was given theÂ Harvard Foundation award for Humanitarian of the Year.Â

The dean of Harvard College, Rakesh Khurana, said the starÂ had empowered children to ¹ú²úÊÓÆµœshine bright like a diamond¹ú²úÊÓÆµ and inspired students to ¹ú²úÊÓÆµœwork work work”.

Accepting the award, Rihanna said she was onlyÂ a young girl in Barbados when she wasÂ first inspired to help othersÂ – by watching television commercials that showedÂ children suffering across the world.

Honored to join @GPforEducation & @GlblCtzn team! Together w/@ClaraLionelFDN, we'll
make education accessible for all! #EducationCannotWait pic.twitter.com/6bgNsoBhq4

— Rihanna (@rihanna) September 24, 2016

¹ú²úÊÓÆµœI would say to myself, ¹ú²úÊÓÆµ˜When I grow up, and I can get rich, I¹ú²úÊÓÆµ™m gonna save kids all over the world,¹ú²úÊÓÆµ™¹ú²úÊÓÆµÂ she said. ¹ú²úÊÓÆµœI just didn¹ú²úÊÓÆµ™t know I would be in the position to do that by the time I was a teenager.”

Julia Gillard, Board Chair of the Global Partnership for Education, said:Â “Rihanna’s voice will be critical during what we expect to be a historic year for global education.Â

“World leaders must step up to the challenge of addressing the needs of 260 million children currently not in school to ensure that every child, everywhere, has the opportunity of a quality education.”

Girls’ education