Anjimile Oponyo
Encyclopedia
Anjimile Mtila-Oponyo is a Malawian development worker and educator selected by Madonna
as CEO and Head of the Raising Malawi Academy for Girls in Malawi. Prior to joining the academy, she worked for the World Bank
, International Monetary Fund
and the United Nations
Development Program where she built schools in Lebanon
http://www.raisingmalawi.org/blog/entry/reporting-back-from-malawi/. She is a graduate of George Washington University
where she received her Masters in Education and took her sabbatical at Harvard Business School
.
Academy for Girls (RMAG) project was terminated, a report was published that placed blame on Oponyo and Philippe Van Den Bossch, boyfriend of Madonna's former trainer. The report was created by philanthropic consulting firm Global Philanthropy Group
, hired by the board of directors of Raising Malawi in November 2010 to help the organization restructure its strategy and approach.The report however, was controversial because it's 'audit' implied that Oponyo and Van Den Bossch had acted outside there contracted roles. The report accused her of “outlandish expenditures,” including getting a "high salary, a car, housing, and a golf-club membership," all which were included in her contract by Madonnas Aides. The $461.27 golf membership was offered as an aid to networking with government officials and potential donors and is common for executive in that country. The car that was bought for her was a reconditioned 1996 Toyota. Her salary, $96,000, was a pay cut from previous positions she had held at the World Bank and the United Nations. The accountability for the project is still yet to be explained since the majority of the money nearly $3Million, never reached the Malawi site from the Kabbalah center in L.A.
's lawyer, Davis Njobvu, argued to the court that RMI was a registered trust in the United States
and only provided funds for the construction and that there were no contracts signed between Raising Malawi Inc (RMI) and the former staff members. A Malawi court dismissed a legal action by Madonna to prevent her charity project from being sued by former employees for unfair dismissal and non-payment of benefits. The case is still pending.
She is sister to vice-president of Malawi
, Joyce Banda
, who is the founder of the development and educational institution,the Joyce Banda foundation
.
and married to patrick Oponyo
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
as CEO and Head of the Raising Malawi Academy for Girls in Malawi. Prior to joining the academy, she worked for the World Bank
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
, International Monetary Fund
International Monetary Fund
The International Monetary Fund is an organization of 187 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world...
and the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Development Program where she built schools in Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
http://www.raisingmalawi.org/blog/entry/reporting-back-from-malawi/. She is a graduate of George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
where she received her Masters in Education and took her sabbatical at Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School is the graduate business school of Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, United States and is widely recognized as one of the top business schools in the world. The school offers the world's largest full-time MBA program, doctoral programs, and many executive...
.
Raising Malawi Academy for Girls
Once the Raising MalawiRaising Malawi
Raising Malawi is a charity non-profit organization that was founded by Madonna and Michael Berg in 2006. It is dedicated to helping with the extreme poverty and hardship endured by Malawi's one million orphans.-Mission statement:-Charity fundraiser:...
Academy for Girls (RMAG) project was terminated, a report was published that placed blame on Oponyo and Philippe Van Den Bossch, boyfriend of Madonna's former trainer. The report was created by philanthropic consulting firm Global Philanthropy Group
Global Philanthropy Group
Global Philanthropy Group is a consulting firm that provides philanthropic services for high net-worth individuals, charitable foundations and corporations. Their clients include John Legend, Avril Lavigne, Madonna, and Tory Burch...
, hired by the board of directors of Raising Malawi in November 2010 to help the organization restructure its strategy and approach.The report however, was controversial because it's 'audit' implied that Oponyo and Van Den Bossch had acted outside there contracted roles. The report accused her of “outlandish expenditures,” including getting a "high salary, a car, housing, and a golf-club membership," all which were included in her contract by Madonnas Aides. The $461.27 golf membership was offered as an aid to networking with government officials and potential donors and is common for executive in that country. The car that was bought for her was a reconditioned 1996 Toyota. Her salary, $96,000, was a pay cut from previous positions she had held at the World Bank and the United Nations. The accountability for the project is still yet to be explained since the majority of the money nearly $3Million, never reached the Malawi site from the Kabbalah center in L.A.
Legal suit
Eight staff members of RMAG, including Ms. Oponyo lodged the action with lawyer Charles Mpaka at the end of March, claiming they were let go without proper termination procedures. The staff claims that they were being forced to sign a discriminatory termination agreement which was "unfair and unconstitutional" and included a 'confidentiality agreement' which prevents them from defending themselves against defamation and libel .MadonnaMadonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
's lawyer, Davis Njobvu, argued to the court that RMI was a registered trust in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and only provided funds for the construction and that there were no contracts signed between Raising Malawi Inc (RMI) and the former staff members. A Malawi court dismissed a legal action by Madonna to prevent her charity project from being sued by former employees for unfair dismissal and non-payment of benefits. The case is still pending.
Personal life
She has six children.She is sister to vice-president of Malawi
Malawi
The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west. The country is separated from Tanzania and Mozambique by Lake Malawi. Its size...
, Joyce Banda
Joyce Banda
Joyce Hilda Banda is a Malawian educator, grassroots gender rights activist turned politician who has been Vice-President of Malawi since May 2009. She is Malawi's first female vice president. She had previous posts as a Member of Parliament, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister for...
, who is the founder of the development and educational institution,the Joyce Banda foundation
Joyce Banda Foundation
The Joyce Banda Foundation is a primary and secondary school in Malawi founded by Joyce Banda in 1997. Its primary focus is education and sustainable development.In response to the needs of the rural community, it grew into a multi-facetd organisation. It now also hosts an Orphan Care Center that...
.
and married to patrick Oponyo