Pop superstar Madonna has extended her African aid work with orphans in Malawi to improving access to clean water.

The material girl is scheduled to fly to the impoverished country later this year (06) where she'll set up an orphan care centre.

However, an advance party for the singer was so distressed to see the plight of young children forced to walk miles for drinking water, they've persuaded her to help install wells too.

Adrina Michiela, principal secretary in Malawi's Ministry of Women and Child Development, says, "The team was appalled at what they saw and how women and children walk long distances to fetch water.

"Her team immediately pledged to support any government initiatives to improve access to water points."