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International support for Madonna’s quest to adopt a second child from Malawi grows
New York --- Africans In America, Inc., a New York-based organization raising awareness on issues affecting immigrant Africans in United States has thrown its support on the quest of Britain-based American recording artist, actress and entrepreneur Madonna Louise Ciccone to adopt second child from poor African nation of Malawi. The top singer and actress popularly known by only her first name Madonna has returned to East African country (Malawi) to ask for permission to take 4 years-old girl Chifundo James out of the country. Though Madonna receives a lot of support from majority of people in Malawi, there are few loud critics. International support and challenge for African leaders Speaking from his New York office during an interview, the Executive Director of Africans In America, Inc., Bonaventure Ezekwenna expressed support and stated, “there is no doubt that any child adopted by Madonna will have a better far more than what he/she is getting in Malawi, or, anywhere in Africa.” Dismissing objections by some critics of Madonna adopting African children, Mr. Ezekwenna added, “There is no uproar against Madonna’s quest, absolutely none. Most Africans, including the leaders will like Madonna to adopt their own children. Most critics, including African leaders are just jealous, and will sing a different tune if their own children are the ones chosen by Madonna for adoption”. “Let them (African leaders) show the world how African children are fairing, the standard of living of children under their watch and let’s compare those to how the children are fairing under Madonna”, said Mr. Ezekwenna. “Our leaders should worry about fellow Africans who pretend they are adopting children, only to buy them (children) and ritually slaughter them for human sacrifice (ritual killing), a practice that is very common in most African countries”, concluded the Executive Director, Bonaventure Ezekwenna Madonna new interest: 4 years-old girl (orphan) Chifundo James Chifundo has been living in an orphanage since her 18-year-old mother died, shortly after giving birth. Madonna has said it is "amazing" to be back in the country where she adopted David Banda in 2006. The girl at the centre of the case, whose name translates into English as Mercy, is in the same orphanage that was home to David, who is now three years old. Madonna entered the court of Judge Esme Chombo through a back door without answering questions from the media. The case was heard in private but afterwards a lawyer for the singer confirmed Madonna was seeking an 18 month interim adoption order. Legal challenge Madonna is in the country with David Banda and her two biological children, Lourdes and Rocco. Madonna is applying to adopt Mercy as a single parent because her divorce from film director Guy Ritchie was finalized in November last year. Malawi does not, as a rule, approve adoptions for single or divorced people, but the official at the country's welfare department said that each case was considered on merit. The singer has already been criticized by international charities and now a human rights organization in Malawi is threatening to try and stop the adoption taking place. Mavuto Bamusi, a campaigner for the Human Rights Consultative Committee, told Reuters: "We are surprised at what's going on. We are contemplating challenging this adoption." The chairman of the HRCC, Undule Mwakusunguraof accused Madonna of acting "like a bully" saying: "She has the money and the status to use her profile to manipulate, to fast-track the process." The singer had supporters among the small crowd of onlookers outside the court. E Ngulinga told Associated Press: "We are blessed for what Madonna is doing here." "That baby is going to have the advantages of going to school and of becoming someone. Here it is very difficult" he added. Family reunion
David Banda, Madonna's first Malawian child has been introduced to his father for the first time since the boy left the country in 2006. Yohane Banda said his son did not recognize him: "He asked me in English who I was and what I do. When I told him 'I am your daddy' he looked surprised." The two spoke through a translator as David does not speak the local language, Chichewa, and Mr. Banda speaks no English. The father spoke to Madonna about his son's schooling and described the singer as a "sweet lady". David was left at an orphanage after his mother died. His father said: "It's amazing how David has grown; I can't believe he is the same small and sickly baby we left at Home of Hope." ‘He seems to be a polite boy for he asked if he could sit on my lap. Then he started playing with my nose; I don’t know why. ‘I sometimes shudder to think that David could also have met the same fate had Madonna not adopted him. I am really grateful to her for saving David from possible early death.’ Mr. Banda, who is now remarried and has a young son noted: "David still resembles me but he looks very much like his half brother Dingiswayo. "I can't wait to see the two brothers reunite," he added. In 2006, critics accused the Malawian government of sidestepping laws banning foreign adoptions in order to allow the celebrity to take David Banda home with her. Role model After the adoption was legalized in 2008, Madonna said the difficulties had arisen because "this adoption essentially was the beginning of the creation of adoption laws in Malawi". She hoped it would make it easier for others to adopt from the country and explained: "I am the template or the role model, so to speak, for future adoptions." Madonna has also established a charity, Raising Malawi, which aims to provide accommodation, food, education and other support to orphans in the country. |
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