Wow reading some comments, especially by ES makes me thank God that Oprah did NOT open a school in the US. You don't need another school for people who have no drive or desire and just want things handed to them. I hope more people are inspired to help those less fortunate & deserving.

Oprah, I have loved you for all of your good intentions! Now, I must say I have been helping kids on a shoestring in Central America for almost 10 years. On my way to Nicaragua in December I read all about the academy in O magazine. I was excited and eager to read all about it...thinking we are kindred spirits.

Well much to my surprise I read that she spent tons on money on material things that those girls would never have missed or even thought about. My question is *why???*. Why not put that money into other childrens education? There are millions who can't attend school for simple things like uniforms and shoes and books.

I was and am sad and disappointed. It is time to say I think Oprah you have something mixed up here. we are talking about girls who share one cup, one bowl, one tooth brush, live in huts with dirt floors and now they have expensive special tea cups, 'O' linens, and a spa? Argh...I fear this will affect them in manner you were not intending.

Insightful readers...do explain. :-)

Anyone that says anything negative about Oprah being phony or racist shuold ask themselves why they are so angry! It is only bitter people who never see the good in people!

I think what Ms. Winfrey did for those girls in Africa is a wonderful thing. Every living, and breathing humanbeing should have the right to an education. God bless Oprah and her work!
from Ryan in Ohio.

It's silly to me that after doing something so positive, people still have bad things to say about Oprah. What in hell are YOU doing for your community to where you can look at Oprah and say "bad girl" for not helping with schools in America? She's given all kinds of money to aid all sorts of people in this damn country. And despite it all, people wanna gripe? Please!!

There are many angry people here on this board. I am shocked shocked shocked at the racist comments. Please do not teach your children and neighbors these hateful ways. Send peace into the world and you will receive peace. If you send anger,you attract anger. Choose peace and love.

I can't believe that people are saying that Oprah is a racist. There's more white people that have benefitted from Oprah's generosity over the years.

Putting that aside. This Country is a poor country. The young ladies are abused/raped/neglected on a daily basis, but yet, what they want more than anything is to go to school. We have our poor people in America, but at least they have the option to attend school. Let's face it, our kids would rather play games, join gangs, shop and play w/expensive toys than go to school. Our drop out rate is high. Why not ensure you have a good return on your investment. Oprah, is a business woman...a smart one at that. I guess that's why she is a billionaire.

What have you done lately for your Country? How much money did you send to the Katrina victims? Oprah, thank you for not being selfish with your blessings. I'm sure that's why you have been divinely favored.

God Bless You Oprah...A good heart is a good heart ,and you definately have one of the most generous hearts around.Keep on doing what comes naturally to you. Your gift of giving is amazing...On the other hand, I read some other comments and the arrogance and ignorance of naysayers who obviously have no heart or love for the less fortunate always seem to amaze me. How can people be soooo cold.I feel sorry for you for you don't know the power of love... One thing I do know is that prayer can soften the hardest heart !

Although I somewhat agree that the schools in the US need attention, this is not something that Oprah can make a difference with. The schools in the US are a major political issue and people need to realize that it isn't poverty issues. US schools struggle because of incorrectly appropriating state funds. The state I live in the amount each district receives per student varies drastically and something needs to be done about that. The only way that is going to happen is when people start doing there homework and find out where the tax money is going and why schools aren't treated equally when it come to funding. I feel that instead of providing funding based on a district area it should be evened out across the state even if that means everyone pays the same percentage for school tax. What Oprah is doing in Africa is a very commendable thing (and no I am not black nor racist). It is well known that Africa is poverty stricken in alot of areas. We are on this earth to help one another that includes people in another country. What makes the people in the US anymore human than in Africa. The bottom line is it is Oprah money and if she wants to help abroad that is her business. I don't feel at all that it is a racist thing for her to do at all. If she is being partial to Africa I would personally like to think it is because the extreme need and not racism... I think the tabloids made a mountain out of a mole hill once again and blew this whole thing way out of proportion. If I had the money oprah has I would do the same thing as well as help those in need in the US. Bottom line is Oprah has worked hard to get where she is, and she should do what she wants with her money its no one elses business.

If you ask an American student what they want? They'll say an Ipod or 100$ tennis shoes. So there you have it,I rest my case. GO OPRAH SPEND YOUR MONEY SOMEWHERE ELSE WHERE IS MOST USEFULL!