Female Beauty

After controversy over the legality of the adoption and protesting by some human rights groups charging that Malawi’s laws governing international adoption have been bent to fast-track it for the singer, the human rights groups filed court documents asking a judge to review the adoption. Madonna’s African 13-month-old adopted baby, David Banda, arrived in London’s Heathrow Airport at 6.30am today (17.10.06). The child was then driven to Madonna’s luxury Marble Arch home, accompanied by a nanny and Madonna’s bodyguards. David – wearing a blue and orange baseball cap, denim shorts and a white t-shirt – was covered with a blanket, protecting him from the cold as well as photographers as he left the airport. Madonna left Malawi on Friday following a week-long visit to orphanages there.

Malawi law states prospective adoptive parents must live in the country for a year while social welfare officers assess their suitability. The law usually prohibits adoptions by non-residents. Human rights groups claim Malawi authorities may have relaxed the adoption laws in return for the ‘Like A Prayer‘ singer donating $3 million to the Raising Malawi charity. Boniface Mandere, a spokesman for Malawian children’s charity Eye Of The Child, said: “The court seems to have made a decision based on Madonna’s wealth.
Madonna defended her actions, saying she had saved 13-month-old Malawian baby boy David Banda from a “life of poverty and hardship“. David’s mother, Marita, died a week after he was born. His father, Yohane Banda, took David to the Home of Hope Orphan Care Centre, in Mchinji, when he became sick at five weeks old. Baby David’s father, Yohane Banda said, “As David’s father I have no problems with the adoption process so what is the concern?. Are they jealous or what? What I want is a good life and a good education for my child.” He had already lost his first two children to malaria.

In a message titled “An Open Letter from Madonna,” the singer says: “My husband and I began the adoption process many months prior to our trip to Malawi. I did not wish to disclose my intentions to the world prior to the adoption happening as this is a private family matter. “After learning that there were over one million orphans in Malawi, it was my wish to open up our home and help one child escape an extreme life of hardship, poverty and in many cases death, as well as expand our family.”
In her statement, Madonna also said, “We have gone about the adoption procedure according to the law like anyone else who adopts a child. Reports to the contrary are totally inaccurate. The procedure includes an 18-month evaluation period, after which time we hope to make this adoption permanent. This was not a decision or commitment that my family or I take lightly.”

The singer’s spokeswoman, Liz Rosenberg, said, ‘The interim adoption grants David’s new parents’ temporary custody for 18 months, during which time they will be evaluated by the courts of Malawi per the tribal customs of the country.’  However, the mother-of-two and her husband, Guy Ritchie, could face a criminal investigation over the way in which they gained custody of baby David. Failure to follow the correct procedures can mean an unlimited fine or a year in jail. David could also be returned to Malawi.
“We need to know that British adoption law is being followed, otherwise it would give out completely the wrong message that there is one law for celebrities and another for ordinary people,” said Anastasia de Waal, of the think-tank Civitas.
Adoption guidelines recommend no more than a 45 year age gap between parent and child. Madonna is 48 and Guy is 38.

To Madonna, controversy is hardly new – from her S&M wardrobe, sexy tell-all book, nailing herself on a crucifix, to proselytizing about Kabbalah and kissing Britney Spears at the MTV Video Music Awards. The Material Girl living in a material world has certainly made the most of her fame, and concludes her statement saying she is “overwhelmed and inspired” by her trip to Malawi and hopes it can bring attention to the plight of African children. “My heartfelt thanks for all the good wishes I have received,” she says, “and I hope the press will allow my family some room for us to experience the joy we feel to have David home.”

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 17th, 2006 at 4:21 pm and is filed under Celebrity Children, Celebrity News, Family, Gossip, Lifestyle. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.