Madonna Returns to Malawi

Monday, April 16, 2007

Madonna and her adopted son, David Banda, have returned to Malawi and rumors are running wild as to why they are there.

A spokesperson for Madonna, Liz Rosenberg said: “She is overseeing the building of a children’s health care center. She is absolutely not adopting another baby.”

Still, people are gossiping about the possibility that Madonna may be there to adopt another child. After all, she denied she was adopting right before she put in a bid to adopt David Banda. A BBC report at the time stated that Madonna’s spokeswoman denied adoption rumors even though the singer was visiting several orphanages. Less than 48 hours later, it was announced that Madonna was adopting a child.

Her adoption of David Banda was met with controversy. Human rights groups in the region said that Madonna broke the rules and was given special consideration because of her celebrity status and her bank account. Both Madonna and the Malawi government deny these rumors.

The boy’s natural father told reporters that he did not realize that adoption meant that his son would be taken to another country where he could not see him. He told reporters that he thought adoption only meant that Madonna would be caring for his son financially. After visiting his son David, in Madonna’s home, his father gave his blessing to the adoption saying that to do otherwise would only hamper his son’s future.

So why is Madonna in Malawi? It is plausible that she and David Banda are visiting with Malawi officials. When Madonna first put in for adoption, she was given temporary custody for 18 months. During that time, David Banda’s health and well being were to be closely monitored. If, at the end of the 18 months, the government was satisfied, then Madonna would be given legal and permanent custody.

It is also likely that Madonna is visiting orphanages for her Raising Malawi charity, which aims to provide accommodation, food, education and other support to orphans in the country.