andPOP » malawi

Material Mom Speaks Out About Failed Adoption

Joelle Tomlinson — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 20:15:03 +0000

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Madonna is speaking out for the first time about her failed adoption bid of 3-year-old Mercy James, reports E! online.

“I want to provide Mercy with a home, a loving family environment and the best education and healthcare possible,” the 50-year-old popstar told Malawi’s Nation on Sundaynewspaper, according to Reuters. ”And it’s my hope that she, like David, will one day return to Malawi and help the people of their country.”

In March, a Malawi judge rejected the Material Mom’s request because of a law restricting non-residents from adopting children. Madonna has appealed the decision.

“Though I have been advised that I cannot publicly discuss the pending appeal regarding my desire to adopt Mercy, I do want to say how much I appreciate the level of support that I have received from the people of Malawi and my friends around the world,” she said.

Despite the law, Madonna successfully adopted son David Banda, now 3, from Malawi in 2006. Complications have arisen from the biological father of David, but their communication has been kept under wraps since his outburst earlier in the year.

Madonna Adoption Petition Denied

Joelle Tomlinson — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 22:09:23 +0000

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Madonna’s petition to adopt a second child from Malawi was rejected by a judge on Friday, April 3rd.

According to chartattack.com, Madonna flew to the southeast African country to try and adopt three-year-old Chifundo James, whose first name translates as “Mercy” in English. But Judge Esme Chombo, a judge in Malawi’s capital of Lilongwe, said prospective parents must live in Malawi for 18 to 24 months before they can adopt a Malawian child.

“The decision came down to residency requirement and the fact that the judge believes she was being well taken care of in the orphanage,” Zione Ntaba, a spokeswoman for the Malawi Justice Department, told CNN.

“For the Malawians, the fact that the child is at an orphanage, is being taken care of and is going through the school education system, that does qualify as the best interests of a child.”

Madonna had filed a petition that said James’ mother died soon after she was born and her grandmother was unable to take care of her.

“I am able and willing to securely provide for Chifundo James and make her a permanent and established member of my family,” the singer wrote in the petition. “To deny Chifundo James the opportunity to be adopted by me could expose her to hardship and emotional trauma which is otherwise avoidable.”

Ex-husband Guy Ritchie has spoken out regarding the rejection, insisting that Madonna is a good mother and that he was saddened upon hearing about the application denial for the Material Mother.

Madonna Ready To Adopt Again

Joelle Tomlinson — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:45:39 +0000

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Madonna is on her way to Malawi to adopt a 3-year-old girl named Mercy.

According to perezhilton.com, the world-traveler is expected in court on Monday.

But, in what can only be an awkward situation, Madge will be facing a homecoming party for her son, David Banda, whom she also adopted from Malawi a few years ago.

Apparently, everyone is expecting the kid to get reunited with his biological dad Yohane Banda, the one that gave him up for adoption. According to In Touch Weekly, Yohane said recently, “I am excited to get reunited with my son after three years.”

He also mentioned that his hometown, Lipunga Village, has already planned a huge party for when David returns to visit. There are also plans for him to visit the Malawian orphanage where he was adopted from.

Lucy Chipeta, the director of the orphanage, added “We can’t wait for David’s return. All the children are happy to be reunited with David. We have planned a special welcoming party for him. We will take him back to his crib and reunite him with the nanny who was looking after him.”

Meanwhile, a British children’s charity disapproves of the Material Moms actions, reports E! online. “You cannot literally take every poor child who may only have one parent living, or no parent living, across the world and transport them all into Kensington in London,” said Save the Children UK’s Dominic Nutt in an interview with the BBC’s Newshour program.

Madonna Given Honourary Citizenship in Malawi

andPOP Staff — Tue, 27 May 2008 09:43:56 +0000

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Madonna will receive honourary citizenship to Malawi for her good will work there, reports Hello magazine.

Her adopted son, David Banda, is from Malawi. She funds several orphanages and is in the process of opening a girls’ school near the capital.

“We are proud as a country to be associated with such a megastar,” said Billy Kaunda, the deputy tourism and culture minister of Malawi. “She will have freedom of all cities here. She won’t be bothered with issues like visas and other limitations.”

Madonna also filmed a documentary on Malawi called “I Am Because We Are,” which premiered at the Cannes film festival.