Madonna is marking the start of construction at her school for girls in Malawi.

The pop superstar cut a ribbon and planted a tree at a groundbreaking ceremony Monday.

The 51-year-old celebrity arrived in the impoverished southern African country on Sunday. She was accompanied by her four children — daughters Lourdes and Mercy, and sons Rocco and David.

Madonna adopted Mercy from Malawi earlier this year and adopted David from the country in 2008.

Madonna’s Raising Malawi, a charity founded in 2006, helps feed, educate and provide medical care for some of Malawi’s orphans.