Article By Tania Dawson // EEW Magazine // Philanthropy

Former U.S. first lady Michelle Obama recently announced that she is donating $500,000 to the Obama Foundation's Girls Opportunity Alliance Fund to support adolescent girls’ education around the world.

When asked why she gave such a generous donation, the “Becoming” author whose monetary gift is derived from 2018 and 2019 book tour merchandise sales, quoted a biblical principle from Luke 12:48: “To whom much is given, much is expected.”

The 55-year-old Christian philanthropist shared her thoughts on generosity and advocacy during a sit-down chat with “Today Show" co-host Jenna Bush Hager.

The conversation took place in southern Vietnam where Obama, also accompanied by actresses Julia Roberts and Lana Condor, spoke to students at a school in Long An province by the Mekong delta.

 “When you come to countries like these, you understand that, a little goes a long way,” said the New York Times best-seller, encouraging others to get involved, even if they don’t have a whole lot of money.

“You don’t need a half-a-million dollars,” she explained. “Some of these school fees are $20, $50, $100, so imagine what we can do if I take my resources, put them on the table, and urge folks around us, around the world, in our country, to match those dollars. I mean, that money will change a girl’s life.”

Obama’s ongoing advocacy for girls’ education began while her husband former U.S. president Barack Obama was in the White House. She continues that work through the Obama Foundation.

“It’s a privilege,” she said, speaking on how she feels about empowering others. “You put your money where your mouth is, and it was the plan all along.”

Obama says she is on a mission to help others see that “when you educate a girl, you’ll give them power and a voice and an opportunity to improve their lives and the lives of their families and the lives of their communities,” Obama said.