The first lady landed at Lilongwe International Airport in Malawi on Thursday following a six-hour flight from Ghana, and was met by Gertrude Mutharika, Malawi’s first lady.
Despite a warm welcome from Malawian officials and local dancers, Melania faced a barrage of criticism from individuals still angry at President Trump’s remarks in January, when he referred to some African nations, along with Haiti and El Salvador, as “sh**hole countries”.
One protester held a sign which read: “Welcome to Malawi. Not a sh**hole!”
Another sign said: “69 days past the deadline to reunite families.”
The comment was in reference to the US administration’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy in relation to individuals crossing illegally from Mexico into the US, which has led to the separation of thousands of children from their parents.
Despite the protests, President Trump praised Melania for her five-day solo tour of Africa, saying: “Our country’s great First Lady, Melania, is doing really well in Africa.
“The people love her, and she loves them! It is a beautiful thing to see.”
During her visit to Malawi, Melania visited the country’s capital, Lilongwe, and toured Chapala Primary School alongside headteacher Maureen Masi, where she observed English lessons and met teachers.
She visited the school to highlight the benefits of a USAID scheme to support African education, which has seen the US distribute 9.6million books to schools across Malawi.
Commenting on the visit, Melania said: “I wanted to be here to see the successful programs the United States is providing the children and thank you for everything you’ve done.”
She also spoke about the visit later in the day while talking to embassy staff at the US ambassador’s residence, saying: “What an amazing experience. Meeting those children and understanding their different way of life is why I wanted to travel here.
“I was heartened to spend time with the students and was honoured to donate school supplies and soccer balls.”
She added: “My husband and I appreciate all that you’re doing to serve our country.”
Following Melania’s visit to the school, she travelled to the Statehouse, where she enjoyed tea with Malawi’s First Lady Gertrude.
Melania is currently undertaking a four-nation tour of Africa, which started in Ghana where she visited landmarks including Cape Coast Castle, a landmark to the historical slave trade.
Following the First Lady’s departure from Malawi on Thursday evening, she travelled to Kenya, where she was greeted at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by Margaret Kenyatta, the country’s First Lady.
Her final destination will be Egypt, before returning to Washington DC on Sunday.