Malawian man says Madonna adopted his son
Update:
According to the Associated Press, who spoke to representatives in the Malawi government, an interim order has been issued, allowing Madonna to take the one year old David home and adoption papers have been filed in court.
Penston Kilimbe, director of child welfareservices in the Ministry of Gender, Child Welfare and CommunityServices, said, "They have followed the normal processes. This has beengoing on for some time. Now this is the completion point."
Madonna has a charity called Raising Malawi that is in the process of setting up an orphanage for up to 4,000 children. Among its teachings and projects will be Kabbalah.
There is some controversy because Malawian interest groups feel that local adoptions are preferred to international ones. However, as Jackie Schoeman, the executive director Cotlands, a South African organizationthat cares for children affected by HIV, said, "Ifthe only other option is for them to be in a long-term institution thenwe would consider international adoption."
What do you think? Should American celebrities adopt internationally?
Originally posted October 11:
Despite claims by Madonna’s publicist that she hasn’t adopted any children, a Malawi man is claiming that Madonna adopted his son David. Yohame Banda says that the baby’s mother died a month after giving birth to him a year ago and had been living at the Home of Hope OrphanCare Center in Mchinji, near the Zambian border. Says Yohame, "I am very, very happy because, asyou can see, there is poverty in this village, and I know he will bevery well looked after in America."
The baby’s grandmother said, "Thedirector of the orphanage came here yesterday and told us that Davidhas been adopted by a famous American singer. I am very glad for himbecause having grown up as an orphan myself, I know how tough life canbe."
The director of the orphanage, Reverend Thompson John Chipeta, refuses to speak to the media.
Source: New York Post, Page Six and Associated Press
- Posted on Oct 12, 06 at 1:15PM
- Permalink
- 11 Comments
October 12th, 2006 at 8:41 am
Good for her, good for the child. She’s saving his life and I’m sure this will have a ripple effect and bring to light how many children (not only in Africa) but in all countries are without someone to care for and love them.
October 12th, 2006 at 8:57 am
If this boy has a father alive (not to mention a grandmother) how can he be an orphan?
October 12th, 2006 at 11:32 am
Lisa B – It sounds like his father gave him up because he couldn’t properly care for the baby. I doubt they have formula in his village so after the mother died he probably had no choice but to leave him in an orphanage.
October 12th, 2006 at 1:25 pm
well good for Madonna and congrats if it all turns out to be true. More celebs should adopt….they have the money and the resources why not!
October 12th, 2006 at 1:43 pm
I feel it would be better for her to give some of her vast fortune to improve life there and let him remain with his real family. I am not entirely cynical but if I am concerned with the ease that celebrities can adopt when ordinary people find the process so hard.
October 12th, 2006 at 3:18 pm
Of course it’s great that she is adopting… But the what’s the problem with american kids? I’m sure there are a lot of orphans in United States too.
October 12th, 2006 at 4:47 pm
I don’t know… I mean, of course is great that she is adopting and saving a life. But… What’s the problem with american kids? I bet there are a lot of orphans in the United States too!
October 12th, 2006 at 4:51 pm
I dont like your poll, CBB!
Ya didnt take into account the gay people who would gladly adopt any child if their stupid bigoted states would make it legal for them to do so…
October 12th, 2006 at 8:29 pm
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October 13th, 2006 at 2:06 am
I have a feeling Modonna will see to it that her child stays in contact with his bio family. I think it’s a lovely thing she’s doing.
October 25th, 2006 at 1:16 pm
Just my two cents here. Will she adopt a 38 year old? SMILE! The child would be blessed having such wealth,love and guidance from a talented person. Can she adopt about 12 to 15 more should be whats on our minds. There are approx. 18,000,000 orphaned children in Africa while there 300,000,000 people living in the U.S. that’s 1/15th of our population. Their kids, babies.Who will love them and give them individual attention.If you give a child all this and even afford for him to meet his villagers he will bless you in return.Trust me, these children deserve more than bureaucracy. They deserve the best life can give.Take them all Madonna, Love this little boy and fight for him to have a better life with all your heart.
Lori