MADONNA’S ADOPTION BID DENIED
A judge has denied pop star Madonna’s request to adopt 3 year-old Mercy James from Malawi, since the singer has not lived in the southern African nation for the last 18 months, as Malawi’s adoption law requires. Back in 2006, Madonna was able to adopt her three-year-old son David because the residency rule was waived. Many people are not sure why the pop star was denied, but it is believed that Malawi’s High Court decided that the country would not bend the rules for Madonna a second time. In addition, many activists in Malawi believe that Mercy James is best off with her relatives.
Via NyTimes:
Madonna’s efforts to adopt had drawn criticism from some activists who said the little girl would be best off with relatives, and praise from other residents, who credited her with giving the girl opportunities not widely available in the impoverished nation.
In court papers made public Friday, Madonna said Chifundo’s grandmother was unable to care for her. She promised to make Mercy a permanent part of her family and spare her the ”hardship and emotional trauma” of life as an orphan.
The girl’s mother, according to the affidavit, died at age 14 not long after her baby was born Jan. 22, 2006. There was no mention of the father in the affidavit. The mother’s brother is listed as having consented to the adoption.
”I am able and willing to securely provide for Chifundo James and make her a permanent and established member of my family,” Madonna said. ”To deny Chifundo James the opportunity to be adopted by me could expose her to hardship and emotional trauma which is otherwise avoidable.”
Malawi’s child welfare minister had endorsed Madonna’s adoption application.
”We have close to 2 million orphans in Malawi who need help,” Women and Child Welfare Development Minister Anna Kachikho told The Associated Press. ”We can’t look after all of them as a country. If people like Madonna adopt even one such orphan, it’s one mouth less we have to feed.”
She could always try to adopt an African American child. I heard there are tons of them just waiting for a home!
Madonna go buy your handbags somewhere else…….oops i mean kids…..
Every few years she wants another one how about adopting the many American kids that are in foster care and homeless here????
I’m glad the Malawian Court System has a new restructuring (aka backbone) and isn’t bending the rules for celebrity status this time. Single/Divorced parents in addition to nonresidents are NOT allowed to adopt a child from Malawi, period. If Mercy’s grandmother wants her, thats all that matters. Remember what Hilary Clinton said…it takes a village to raise a child! Maybe the people of Malawi will collectively raise this little girl and she will grow up never lack in anything. You never know.
RP…I absolutely agree!
SMH, I guess adopting African American children isn’t as ‘glamorous’ or ‘heroic’ than traveling to Africa to pick one out.
ModelChic and BP: What are you guys jealous of African orphans now? lol
She has to follow the same guidleines like everyone else .Why should she get special treatment..There are plenty of African American kids here in the US that need homes.
Gina,
that was a dumb statement. Judging by the ‘lol’ I hope you’re not serious.
Why would I ever be jealous of someone who has less than I have?
African Orphans deserve a home just like African American children. What I am saying is, don’t discriminate between the two or have preference.
So in other words ModelChic you are indeed jealous of African orphans then? She knows many of them are in dire need and moreover, she no longer lives in the US but rather England. Anyone can adopt from whereever they wish. Given the public education here in the US, the fact that most kids up for adoptions will never starve and have government support, if I was to really adopt someone who was in dire need, I would look to Ethiopia or somewhere else. Doesn’t take a brain scientist to figure that out. Madonna isn’t merely looking for a black child, but has been involved with Malawian orphans for some time now and started some programs for the kids. Are you jealous of that too?
I think it is good that the rules were upheld but I feel for this little girl. Every child deserves a loving home. We have adopted internationally and will do it again. We followed the rules of the country though.
It bugs me when people say how many American kids need homes, yet they haven’t opened up their home to them. If you can’t be a part of the solution then STHU! ALL kids need homes regardless of what continent they were born on. The U>S> makes it nearly impossible to help the kids tied up in the system.
This was a shame…and absolutely selfish of her family. Are they really going to be able to provide this child the life that Madonna would have, or any life at all?
As a foster parent, it is not that easy to adopt children out of foster care. Often times the weight is 3 or more years.
Gina,
Please come at me like an adult Woman. I told you once I am not jealous of anyone needing adoption. How small of you to suggest such. I believe in freedom of speech and you can say whatever, whenever, but don’t misinterpret my words. And for the record, have you checked the percentage of American children living in poor, destitute areas? I have lived in 4 different countries and 7 states (I’m a military brat, proudly) and some American cities rival the some of the poorest nations overseas. Not everywhere in America provides affordable housing. For you to say that kids in America will never starve and have government support shows that you clearly haven’t considered the facts. I have degree in Social work so I know what I am talking about and I would love to enlighten you!
I will reiterate: every child deserves a place to live and people shouldn’t discriminate. If you have love in your heart and room in your house, then it shouldn’t matter where the child comes from is all I am saying.
I don’t do tit for tat so I am done with the discussion. People will read what I wrote in my post and either agree or disagree. God Bless
Hey, I have a suggestion. Why don’t WE adopt the AA child here in the U.S./abroad? What a concept. I intend to do just that.
I have no problem with white celebs adopting African children. I think it’s a wonderful thing because some of those kids live the type of poverty we in the US couldn’t even imagine. What about African American celebs? Why aren’t they adopting African American children?
That is true, in some regions of the USA there are people who want to adopt but social service wont let them. Good people that are fostering the child but they wont let you adopt them. I just decided to take in children of drug addicted people. When they get their lives together they can come back and get their child. If they dont thats ok too. No social service involved, just saw a need and decided to do something about it.
fyi: please pardon the typos.
I think this is sad that they would not let her adopt. Her point of getting a child from there again was so that David can have a sister from the same place that he is from. Madonaa can definately provide a better like for the lil girl than they can.
I think everyone needs to mind their business. Unless you are adopting these children, don’t criticize those that do. Yeah, foster care in a poor country is sooo much better. As an adoptee and one who has been around the foster care system let me inform the misinformed.
Adopting domestically is really hard. This is why people go to Africa, China, Russia, etc. When you adopt internationally and you follow the country’s rules (Madonna did not) you are pretty much guaranteed a child. Therefore, there is no heartbreak on either part. When you adopt domestically, you are putting out a lot of money and emotions into a process that can deny you for any reason. Adoption is incredible expensive. Well over $10,000. This is why many often seek fertilization treatments beforehand because they’re cheaper. I don’t judge people who chose not to adopt so I don’t think you should judge this woman who you do not know. I plan to adopt b/c I feel that it is my duty to give what has been given to me and my friends.
Trust me, there is nothing worse than a life living in foster care or worse an orphanage. What do you think will be awaiting this girl when she becomes an adult? Think about it, if the grandmother could take care of her, she wouldn’t be in foster car.
I see nothing wrong with her adopting a child from outside the USA. off topic…but does she even live in America???….anyway I agree with you all who said that EVERY child deserves a home. It doesn’t matter where that child comes from. Instead of telling others where and who to adopt, why don’t you get up and do the same. Helping is helping no matter where a person comes from.
in a few years she will want to upgrade again with a new handbag i mean kid
I don’t see the problem with Madonna or anyone else adopting an African child because more than like they (celebs)not only adopt a child they also donate money to build homes or schools where they adopt at. Which normally regular folks don’t do…..they only adopt the child and move on.
Also celebs bring awareness of the hardship and poverty going on in that region which also leads to more donation. So in the end the child adopted is not the only one to benefit from the adoption the does community also.
I doubt Madonna decided to pursue this option on a whim. I can understand people’s frustration at how speedy her process seems to be but for her to adopt…. Why not. So long as the good intention and love is there. Or is it because it’s Madonna so people object so much.
Mia Farrow has 14 adopted kids half of them foreign, Brangelina have 3 and are planning to adopt a child from India. Ewan McGregor has a 5/6 yr old adopted girl from Mongolia and I know a fair few of my college teachers who have adopted children after working abroad and here in the UK. Good for them to provide a home for these children.
I don’t disagree that there are many children in Western countries who are in dire straits. The onus shouldn’t be on the Madonnas of the world to adopt domestically and it is her choice. At the end of the day I say, ‘what’s best for the child’. Growing up in an orphanage and facing hardship or having the chance of a better life. I know what I’d choose.
Please also remember that Africa is a continent made up of 53 countries. ‘She wants to adopt an African baby’… you mean a Malawian child. I hate the way people refer to it like it’s one massive country. If she decided to adopt a child from Belarus or Romania, you’d say a Belarussian or Romanian child, not a European child. The number of black people who spout tripe about the land where their ancestors came from is mind boggling tbh.
well that sucks
1 child got the opportunity to leave the slums, get out of poverty, and have a priveledged life being loved by a mother. Now, she’ll be just another one of the tens of millions of children growing up in filthy ophanages in the world. she’ll probably be sexually abused before the age of ten like so many little girls in Africa, and she probably will become HIV positive before the age of 20 like so many people in Africa. She’ll probably die a painful death before the age of 30, from being too poor to afford medecine. She will leave her children orphaned like so many adults in Africa. So, the cycle will continue. Her story will become her children’s story and theirs, their children’s. The cycle will just continue to repeat itself like the story of so many Africans. She had the chance to change her story, but because a judge who probably doesn’t even care about the orphan crisis decided to be jealous, and deny her a chance at life. God have mercy on the selfish and evil.
You know, the first impression I got when Madonna started adopting was her competition with Angeline Jolie. I only saw that her intentions were not pure and that her image and celebrity status was what Madonna was trying to improve. Now that Madonna’s divorced (at least that’s what I read the last time), it’s probably not a good idea.
Madonna and her 3 kids live in New York City. After Madonna and Guy broke up. Madonna moved her family back to America. Also who can take off 18 to24mons and move to another country? With no income coming in for up to 2 years??? I feel sorry for the kids in these Malawian orphanages. I understand why the rule is there… but its going to turn off some really good people. Who want to adopt from their country. Madonna is appealing… Mercy may become Lourdes,Rocco and David’s sister next week.
it’s a shame because it would have been a malawian sister for david. i hope she wins on appeal even if she is getting to bend the system. i am adoption from ethiopia and have to abide by the country’s rules so i am a teensy bit annoyed that she has the $ and celebrity to bypass them, but in the end it’s another child getting the promise of a better life and another family getting a lovely little girl. i hope it works out for all of them!
Just for the record…my family has adopted two children out of the foster care system (in the US), with absolutely no trouble at all, no costs involved, plus child support from the state until they’re 18. Maybe in some parts of the country, it’s hard to adopt…but go to Arkansas–it’s easy, and they’re glad to get these kids out of the system and into a home.
Wasn’t she already celebrating the adoption earlier this week? Oops!
I think it’s admirable that Madonna wants to adopt a child that may face an uncertain future but I agree that she should not get special treatment! The requirements are the requirements and just because she’s famous and has money she shouldn’t get to sidestep the legal requirements.
The rumor about Angelina adopting from India is false according to current People magazine. As for Mercy if its meant to be than it will happen.
Madonna’s former husband, Guy Ritchie, has expressed his sadness over her failed adoption of a child from Malawi and praised her as a “great mum”.
A judge at Malawi’s High Court in Lilongwe rejected the singer’s application to adopt Mercy James, a four-year-old girl, ruling that the child should remain in her home country.
In a statement, Ritchie said: “Madonna is a fantastic and loving mother who cares deeply about her own children, and children who may need additional help and support. I fully supported Madonna in her decision to apply for this adoption, and I am saddened that her application has been rejected. She is motivated only by being a caring parent who seeks to share some of the advantages and opportunities that her life has given her. This time it did not work out, but there will be other opportunities and I wish her well in them. She is a great mum.”
I know the rules are the rules. but I cant help but think of Mercy going from rags to riches. With Madonna being her mom the sky is the limit for this girl. Now I don’t know what will become of her…. so sad.
I live in the Netherlands (US born) and it may surprise some people but most children adopted here are from America. They are black children that have been in the system for years or given up at birth. It cost on average $20,000 just to adopt a child from the US plus two years of paperwork and travel cost to fly back for closing the case file.
Many couples save for years before they can afford these fees but do so because they want to be sure they are doing a clean, legal adoption. There is no chance the child was stolen or being brought.
Will that child now have a better life because Madonna has been thwarted on a legal technicality — namely the proviso that adoptive parents live in the country for up to two years before being allowed to adopt, a condition which was waived last time? Some of the gloaters purport to believe so, but you don’t see them moving to southeast Africa.
Faced with the fact that, all things considered, Madonna wasn’t really doing much wrong, the naysayers were forced last week to concoct ever more desperate charges to try and make her look bad, the most common of which appeared to be that, as one human rights activist put it, she “has the money and the status to use her profile to… fast-track the process”.
So the rich don’t wait in line like the rest of us suckers? What’s new? That’s what being rich is all about. They get to do things we can’t. Get over it.
To call her attempted adoption a form of “human trafficking”, as some did, was just tasteless in the extreme. There is real human trafficking.
Vulnerable people fall off the radar. Criminals make a profit from trading in young women and children. Slavery still exists in some parts of the world. We could be demanding that something is done about it, but no, we’d rather get our envious little claws into Madonna.
That’s the ultimate irony. When it looked like she would get her way, her detractors wailed self-righteously about the shallow showbiz culture which lets the likes of Madonna get what she wants, when she wants it, but they’re in thrall to celebrity too.
This story was such a big deal only because it involved a multi-millionairess pop star. It was sexy. It was rock ‘n’ roll. Next week, the world will have moved on to the next glitzy controversy, but Malawi will still be poor, and one little girl who could have had a new life, a mother, a sister, brothers, a home, will still be in an institution, one of a million orphaned children in a country with one of the lowest per capita incomes in the world.
Some victory for human rights.
Madonna should be ashamed of herself.. Does she even love these little african children?? Note to Madonna if your really adopting little black babies out of pure love try adopting some America black babies.. Trust me their is lots of them right here in america, just think you could start a new trend right here in the country your from..
Peyton James
Judge not, lest you be judged……..
Ah, the power of free speech and access to a computer, think of the damage that can be done by some nameless, faceless, ignorant imbeciles. I would like to know how many of you know Madonna personally, and can say that your comments are not only valid, but intelligent as well. It seems to me that the naysayers are too wrapped in Madonna and there cannot focus on what the real issue at hand is. The issue is not Madonna, it is doing whatever we can (large or small) to help these children (the world over)whose parents selfishly brought them into this world knowing fully that they were incapable of taking care of them. Yes I am referring to both teens and adults who carelessly have sex with no regard to the consequences (babies, diseases, babies born with diseases,)because they are too selfish to think about anyone but themselves, and too stupid to think beyond that moment, and when they finally realize what they’ve done, they do one of two things (1) abuse and neglect the children, and condemn them to the same pathetic life circle that they live(working hard to provide a better life is rarely ever a choice they choose to make)or (2)they put the child in an overburdened system without any regard to what happens to that child and then they start the selfish cycle all over again.( After all the system isn’t capable of providing a good, loving, nurturing life, with a top notch education for the child. It is barely capable of keeping these children alive until they’re 18 and then turning them loose to the wolves. Only the very strong survive and go on to lead a healthy productive life. And no I am not referring to the countless numbers of rape victims. So then it is up to the Madonnas of the world(both celebrity and non)to take it upon themselves to help these children(who did not ask to be brought into this world to suffer)and try to give them a better life. Maybe Madonna can afford financially to uproot her life and move to Malawi for 2 years, most people cannot, should all the little Mercy’s and David’s pay the price because of this stupid rule. Obviously the powers that be in Malawi do not have these children’s best interest at heart. And if it were just a photo opp thing as some morons have suggested, she has a choice of 52 other african countries, with less idiotic rules, or for that matter she could give birth to her own black/biracial baby. Obviously, there is a reason she wants a Malawian baby, and guess what, that is her business. A Malawian sibling for David will help preserve his birth culture and first language if that’s something he wants to do, and that’s one more child with a chance at unimaginable possibilities, love from a family and a chance to succeed in this world, and one less child who will grow up or possibly die in an institution, one less child likely to be raped and abused and repeat that circle. And who knows maybe one day Mercy will be the one to change that country and the world because Madonna gave her a chance. So kudos to the Madonnas of the world for trying to do something, anything, to help this catastrophe, because really she doesn’t have to do anything, she takes care of her children.
So instead of hiding and making stupid comments because you can, why don’t you seek to do something positive for the children and the world, or at the very least stop popping out children that you are not taking care of, after all the problem begins and ends the same way, with everyone taking responsibility for their actions.
I myself, chose not to bring children into the world, because I’m not in a place to take care of them the way thatI would like to. If I ever get to that place I would like to adopt at least 6 kids, and yes my family would look like the rainbow because it really doesn’t matter where or what race they are. It matters that they are wanted.
So in closing, I pose a question to anyone who wishes to answer it truthfully, Do you really think Madonna will be allowed to adopt an American child through the foster care system?
Response to Niko - Agree 100% with you Niko!!! Everything you said I thought as well and regards to having children, well I ALWAYS wanted it that way too :), so hopefully one day I will come to that place.
Well said, Niko and Kay. I agree wholeheartedly. People always have their mouths open to say something nasty. Madonna does not have to buy a child for press, fame, or any reason other than wanting a child and wanting to save a life. All my life I have been a proponent of adoption. At 38 I am unmarried with no kids (by choice), and people say that I am running out of time, but I say no, when I am ready to be a mother there are so many children who need a loving home. My child does not have to look like me in order for me to love it.
I am loving these celebrities who are putting their enormous resources into helping unwanted children and having kids go from discarded and at risk to little millionheirs (spelling intended) who go to private schools and have the best of everything. I read a story years ago about Michelle Pfifer going to an agency and saying “I am rich, I have a great family and can provide a wonderful home to any child. Give me the child who is LEAST likely to be adopted.” This is how she ended up with her biracial daughter. Hugh Jackman, Beau Bridges, and Stephen Spielberg are some others who did this long before Brangelina made it into fashion.
I hope Madonna is victorious. The victory will be for Mercy.
I agree with Niko, well said.
For Mercy’s sake, I hope Madonna wins the case.
Thanks to Kay, Kelli & Denise, for taking the time to read my post, and for agreeing with me. Obviously you are smart and educated.
Normally I just read the posts and never comment, but I was so incensed at all the idiotic self righteous statements, I felt compelled to say something.
Maybe I will post more often when something moves me.
Niko…..
I truly believe that denying mercy the opportunity to be adopted is evil. Can you imagine when your 20 years old living in a shack, hungry and being told you could have been adopted by Madonna ! Its jealousy and that little girls life could have been totally transformed. I hope it works out for Madonna - shes a good person