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Officials say Madonna set to adopt Malawian girl

Staff Reporter | Posted March 30, 2009 4:11 AM

Officials in Malawi say the pop star Madonna has arrived at a Malawi court to start adoption proceedings, according to the Associated Press.

AP reported the child's name as Chifundo James, according to court documents obtained by the news agency. The 4-year-old girl lost her mother and it is not clear where her father is located, according to news accounts.

If the adoption goes through, it would mark the singer's second adoption of a Malawian child. Madonna adopted a boy from Malawi last year.

Some have criticized Madonna's decision to adopt Malawian children, but Austin Msowoya of the law commission of Malawi defended the move in an interview broadcast on AP's video network. "Where will the child be if it is left in an orphanage where it is," said Msowoya, "or if it gets a chance to get an education with Madonna?"

Malawi, a southern African country east of Zambia, has a population of 14 million, but the life expectancy is only 43.8 years, according to U.S. government data.

Articles written by a Staff Reporter are unsigned reports from a member of the staff.

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Comments 8

nhlanhla
2009-03-30 11:14:50

Why cant Madonna adopt a Malawian family and then keep the children she loves that much with that family? The children may end up with a good education, access to financial resources but with a foreign accent and mannerism, no African language, alienated and traumatised. But with an adopted family they would have it all.

Stephen
2009-03-30 15:10:11

I can hardly wait to read the comments on this article since so many people frown on placing Black children with non-Blacks without realizing that there are more available Black children needing nurturing homes than there are Black folks willing to adopt. I applaud anyone that makes the commitment to adopt a child and provide the child with a better life than the one they would have had prior to the adoption. I am a single Black male who adopted my son when he was 3 years old. He is now 20 and attending college and I have never regretted making that commitment to him and he's aware and has stated that his life has been much better than it would have been had he remained in the foster care system in our State. It is up to the adoptive parent(s) to ensure that the child has an opportunity to explore and learn about his/her native/original culture to ensure their emotional well being.

Frichy
2009-03-30 18:30:23

nhlanhla, I salute you. Your suggestion makes the most sense to me as well. In my opinion it would be best if Madonna would assist a child's family to provide for that child to the best of its ability. This way the child could remain in its own home with family members who loves him/her most and could retain it's culture, language and traditions. And most importantly, the child would be able to grow up in his/her own country where they could give back to others in need.

nhlanhla
2009-03-31 09:23:12

Yes Frichy I agree. Giving-back comes from a sense of roots. I dont think we are against Madonna adopting a black child from Malawi, IF that was the best option for THE child. But in the case where she could afford the parents too, which I suspect she could, then that would be what's best for THE child. I am male and gay, the best thing I am doing right now is supporting one of my poorer but otherwise responsible cousins for her sake and of her children. This as opposed to taking her children away from her, pleading that's what's best for her children. Doing that would shame my cousin instead of supporting her. The children would be better off financially, but they will have emotional scars, growing up without mother. But if my cousin were dead and and there was no one more suitable and willing in our family, I'll then adopt and take in her children with me.

Ostend Street
2009-03-31 11:11:05

Children need a home that's full of love. Carry on Madonna -- you have my blessings. Those individuals who want to be critical: get up off your butts and adopt some of these black children who need loving homes badly.

Selena
2009-03-31 12:01:58

Do your thing Madge! I live in a state that has less than 4% black population, and, yet, 50% of the kids languishing in foster care are black, and, the system is set up against anyone not black adopting them, amazing how backwards this mentality is and only the children suffer. They say the little girls grandmother does not want her adopted, please, why doesn't she have the child if she is so concerned? No matter how poor she is, if she really wanted what's best for the child, she would have her.

Cecil Jones
2009-03-31 23:19:24

I have strong mixed emotions about Madonna and shopping for kids in Africa. Are they cheaper by the dozen in Africa or are they less valuable because they live in the jungle? There is also the issue of cross cultural insensitivity and her religious beliefs. Is Madonna a fit mother? Should she be adopting anyone anywhere with or without our blessings? Could she do this in the USA or do we have laws against it. Is this "Child Abuse" condoned because the kid has a few strikes and few who give a darn about them? Enough already Madonna...you are no Mother Thresa.

Lynn Marrow
2009-04-01 02:20:19

Listen-up everybody: Madonna is a freak for publicity and this latest adoption is merely her strategy to ensure press coverage for the next 10 years. She is an uber ego maniacal bitch and realizes that her starpower is rapidly fading over the hills. Madonna girl, your're way late because Brad and Angelina did it first, not to mention they did it with more love and class than you could ever dream of. We're sooooooo damned tired of your phony ish, please go away!!!

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