Melania Trump continues Africa trip with stop in Malawi

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First lady continues her 'Be Best' campaign on Africa tour

Melania Trump visits Malawi on her tour of Africa.

First lady Melania Trump continued her trip across Africa on Wednesday with a stop in Malawi.

While in the country, Trump toured the Chipala Primary School in Lilongwe, which benefits from U.S. assistance but still struggles with an enrollment of more than 8,500 students. Some children are taught outdoors, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder on loose, red dirt. With just 77 teachers, the student-teacher ratio is 111 to 1.

Melania Trump tours African nations on first solo international trip as first lady

Mrs. Trump arrived in Ghana on Tuesday to open her first extended solo international tour. It's also her first visit to Africa.

Trump toured the classrooms and watched the lessons helping children learn English or the Chichewa language. The students also greeted the first lady with a song: "We are happy today to see you. Welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome all of you. We are happy today, we are happy today to see you."

Trump also participated in the giving of 1.4 million books during a ceremony inside the school's library.

"I wanted to be here to see the successful programs that [the] United States is providing the children, and thank you for everything you've done," Trump said.

"What an amazing experience. Meeting those children and understanding their different way of life is why I wanted to travel here," Trump said. "I was heartened to spend time with the students and was honored to donate school supplies and soccer balls."

First lady Melania Trump sits with a student during language class as she visits Chipala Primary School, in Lilongwe, Malawi. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

She was greeted at the airport by Malawi’s first lady, Gertrude Mutharika, and the pair are expected to spend time together over a tea and watch a traditional dance performance in the afternoon.

Dozens of children and singing women also greeted Trump while holding American and Malawian flags and flowers.

First lady Melania Trump is visiting Africa on her first big solo international trip, aiming to make child well-being the focus of a five-day, four-country tour. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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This is Trump’s first solo international trip – and first time in Africa. She’s already visited Ghana where she spent time with infants and children at a hospital.

She also toured the 17th century Cape Coast Castle, which was used as a holding area for slaves before they were sent across the Atlantic Ocean. She said the slave castle was a “very emotional” experience.

First lady Melania Trump is greeted by a flower girl as she arrives at Lilongwe International Airport, in Lumbadzi, Malawi. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Trump’s Africa trip is expected to feature visits to hospitals, schools and shelters as part of her efforts to focus on the well-being of children. The first lady launched her advocacy initiative "Be Best" earlier this year.

President Trump recognized his wife's trip on social media, saying she is "doing really well in Africa."

"The people love her, and she loves them! It is a beautiful thing to see," the president said.

Next up on her trip are visits to Kenya and Egypt. Trump joins other first ladies – Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama – who have traveled to Africa alone.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.