MONROVIA, Liberia (AP) – First lady Michelle Obama landed in Africa on Monday with her daughters and her mother for an overseas trip promoting education for girls, starting with a country recovering from the recent Ebola epidemic.
The Obamas were welcomed in Liberia’s capital with a red carpet and traditional dancers wearing the red, white and blue colors of both the American and Liberian flags. They also will visit Morocco and Spain.
While in Liberia, the first lady will meet with the president of the West African country, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the continent’s first elected female head of state.
The Obamas then visit a leadership camp for girls in the town of Kakata.
“People are going to consider her to be a sister to them,” Mayor Eddie Murphy said. “We are overwhelmed.”