Madonna aids African orphans

Construction has begun on a children's home for AIDS orphans being built in Malawi with the help of a donation from Madonna, who is visiting the southern African nation.

The orphanage in the impoverished village of Mphandula, 50km outside the capital, Lilongwe, will initially house 400 children who lost their parents to AIDS, said construction company clerk Denis Nyanja.

"Funds for this place have been donated by Madonna." - Denis Nyanja, construction company clerk