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Page last updated at 15:44 GMT, Friday, 12 February 2010

Malawi villagers move for new Madonna school

Madonna, pictured on a recent visit to Malawi
Madonna has adopted two children from Malawi

Some 200 villagers in Malawi have ended their protests and agreed to leave their land to make way for a school being built by pop star Madonna.

The villagers have finally accepted compensation of $105,000 (£67,000) after their protests had delayed the start of the building work.

A local chief reportedly told the villagers to "accept reality" after the government ordered them to move.

Madonna has adopted two children from Malawi, where she has an orphanage.

Work is now expected to start soon on the Raising Malawi Girls Academy outside the capital, Lilongwe.

The AFP news agency says it is expected to be finished in two years' time.

As well as the compensation, the villagers have also been given new land elsewhere.



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