Top of the class: Madonna is serenaded as she takes adopted children David

As a pop star Madonna is used to entertaining crowds of fans, but it was her turn to be serenaded on Tuesday.
The Hard Candy singer was moved as she toured school blocks she paid for in Malawi with her adopted children David Banda and Mercy James, both now eight.
Madonna, 54, had travelled to the east African nation on Monday after having promised Malawian authorities that she would bring the pair back to their country of birth 'every two or three years'.

 

Sitting pretty: Madonna sat attentively as she took her two adopted children David Banda and Mercy James to visit Mkoko Primary School, which she paid for, in Malawi on Tuesday

 

Happy day: Madonna, pictured inside a classroom at Chorwe Primary School in the central tobacco heartland of Kasungu, used her own money to build several school blocks in the country
After flying in on her Gulfstream jet, Madonna and her entourage drove straight to the western border district of Mchinji where she found her first adopted Malawi child, David, in 2006.
During her stay, Madonna intends to tour the ten school blocks she has funded around the country, starting with Nkoko Primary School in the tobacco-growing district of Kasungu.
Around 4,000 school children were said to have been learning under trees, before the pop star injected cash to help build new school blocks.

 

Model pupil: Madge made sure her children were fully concentrating during their time in school

 

Money invested: Madonna was genuinely thrilled to see the finished school blocks that she had paid for

 

Excitable pupils and hundreds of villagers danced around Madge - even serenading her with praise songs on arrival.
The Material Girl singer responded by saying 'Zikomo! (Thank you!)' to her new legion of fans.
And Madonna was proclaimed as the 'biggest global philanthropist' Malawi has ever had.
Trevor Neilson, president of the Global Philanthropy Group that is managing Madonna's projects in the African country, said: 'Madonna loves Malawi, she is happy to be here, she is committed to end poverty here.'
He revealed Madonna is exploring more projects in Malawi.

Just like a prayer: Flanked by school children the artist waved for the camera

 

Welcome home: Both David and Mercy have family in the country who want to see them

Neilson added: 'Madonna is happy that the communities are appreciating her efforts.'
Madge originally planned to build a $15 million 500-bed Raising Malawi Academy for girls, before she changed plans to instead help several community schools.
The change of heart came as she decided that the new schools would benefit more Malawians.
She arrived in Malawi Monday to tour the 10 school wings she has helped to build with daughter Lourdes and son Rocco in tow.

 

Learning lessons: Madonna and Mercy chatted to some of the pupils after class

 

Famous face: Madonna mingled with the children as she was surrounded by pupils

 

Money talks: The pop star was in her element as she smiled and listened to the children singing

'I love Malawi, I am committed to help end poverty here,' she said.
Madonna adopted David in 2006 and she then adopted her second Malawian child, Mercy James, in 2009 from the eastern district of Zomba.
It was not clear whether the artist was scheduled to meet David's biological father, Yohane James, or Mercy's surviving relations, granny Lucy Chekechiwa and uncle Peter Baneti.

 

Family affair: Madonna's son Rocco also joined the family on the trip and looked like he was enjoying himself

 

In the family: Madonna's biological daughter Lourdes cradled her little sister Mercy

 

Eager listener: David sat attentively at the back of class

Baneti said from his base in Zomba: 'No one told me anything about Madonna's visit. I hope she has brought Mercy, we desperately want to be reunited with her.'
Baneti, who has been trying to get in touch with Madonna without success, said he would see if he can trace her this time around.
'We hope we will be allowed to meet her,' he said.

 

Back in the fold: David and Mercy were surrounded by their native school children

 

Home coming: The material girl thanked her foreign fans for such a warm welcome to Malawi

 

 

Back to Malawi: Madonna and her daughter Mercy on a previous visit to Gumulira village in Malawi in April 2010

 

Looking for a sibling: Madonna with David and eldest daughter Lourdes in Malawi in April 2007 - before she adopted Mercy