Superstar Madonna urged the impoverished residents of Masekese, Malawi to be independent and not rely on her for their livelihood.
The Material Girl is visiting the African nation with her adopted Malawian son David and daughter Lourdes, where she is overseeing some of her charity projects in the country.
On Thursday, Madonna toured a new orphanage which she helped to fund through her Raising Malawi organisation.
Speaking to the orphans and orphanage staff, Madonna said: "This is a partnership, it's not (for) me to do everything but we need to work together and you have to help yourselves."
The visit is the first time Madonna has been to the country since she started the adoption process of 18-month-old David last October.