Melania Trump Planning Solo Trip to Africa

Melania Trump is planning her first big solo international swing with a trip through several African countries in October. The first lady told the AP in a written statement Monday that she's looking forward to learning about the issues that children living on the continent face, as well as appreciating Africa's history and culture. She recently launched a US-based effort focused on the well-being of children. The first lady plans to travel without President Trump, who was roundly criticized earlier this year after his private comment about "shithole countries" in Africa was leaked to journalists. Exact dates for the trip and which countries she will visit remain to be announced.

"This will be my first time traveling to Africa and I am excited to educate myself on the issues facing children throughout the continent, while also learning about its rich culture and history," the first lady said in the statement. "We are a global society and I believe it is through open dialogue and the exchanging of ideas that we have a real opportunity to learn from one another." Trump's only other solo international trip came last September, when she flew to Toronto for a day and joined Britain's Prince Harry for an Olympic-style athletic competition he established for wounded service members and veterans.

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