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Madonna attends adoption hearing Madonna adoption plea postponed
(about 6 hours later)
Madonna has left a Malawian court after a hearing to begin the adoption of a second child from the African country. Madonna must return to court in Malawi on Friday to learn if she can adopt a second child from the African country.
Her application to adopt Chifundo James has been adjourned until Friday, according to a Lilongwe court official. The singer attended an hour-long hearing in Lilongwe to ask for permission to take 4-year-old Chifundo James out of the country.
A welfare officer speaking anonymously, said the child was now four and that her 18-year-old mother had died shortly after giving birth. 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.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.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, dressed in a black and white skirt and carrying a straw hat, entered the court of Judge Esme Chombo through a back door and the case will be heard in private. Madonna entered the court of Judge Esme Chombo through a back door without answering questions from the media.
The singer has come in for criticism over her plans. David Nutt, spokesman for the Save the Children charity, urged Madonna to think again. The case was heard in private but afterwards a lawyer for the singer confirmed Madonna was seeking an 18 month interim adoption order.
"We don't want to pick on one individual - any time, any set of circumstances can change," he said. Legal challenge
Madonna is in the country with David Banda and her two biological children, Lourdes and Rocco. She is applying to adopt Mercy as a single parent.
When I told him 'I am your daddy' he looked surprised. Yohane Banda
The singer has already been criticised by international charities and now a human rights organisation 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.
Madonna's adoption of David Banda was finalised last yearMadonna's adoption of David Banda was finalised last year
"But the problem is, very often this is the wrong thing to do, and Madonna tends to make it seem like it's the answer to everything and all problems, and it just isn't." Family reunion
But Steven Whitehead from the charity Oasis, which represents families who adopt from abroad, said foreign adoption was a good idea in many cases. 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.
He said: "There are a number of children for whom inter-country adoption represents their only chance of having a family, and the human convention on the right of the child gives every child the right to a family. Yohane Banda said his son did not recognise him: "He asked me in English who I was and what I do. When I told him 'I am your daddy' he looked surprised."
"And it's much better for them be in a family, wherever it may happen to be, than be in institutional care. The damaging effect of institutional care on children is so well recognised that, you know, it's just not an issue of debate." The two spoke through a translator as David does not speak the local language, Chichewa, and Mr Banda speaks no English.
Madonna's spokeswomen, Liz Rosenberg and Barbara Charone, and her lawyer in Malawi, Alan Chinula, have not commented. The father spoke to Madonna about his son's schooling and described the singer as a "sweet lady".
Writing in response to e-mailed questions from Nation readers last week, Madonna said: "Many people - especially our Malawian friends - say that David should have a Malawian brother or sister. 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."
"It's something I have been considering." 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.
In 2006, critics accused the Malawian government of sidestepping laws banning foreign adoptions in order to allow the celebrity to take David home with her. "I can't wait to see the two brothers reunite," he added.
Madonna's adoption of David Banda was confirmed last year. 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''Role model'
After the adoption was legalised, Madonna said the difficulties had arisen because "this adoption essentially was the beginning of the creation of adoption laws in Malawi". After the adoption was legalised in 2008, Madonna said the difficulties had arisen because "this adoption essentially was the beginning of the creation of adoption laws in Malawi".
Madonna has faced criticism in the past for adopting from MalawiMadonna has faced criticism in the past for adopting from 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."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."
The star also has two biological children - Rocco, her son with former husband Guy Ritchie, and Lourdes, whose father is Carlos Leon. Madonna's divorce from film director Guy Ritchie was finalised in November.
Film director Ritchie and Madonna's divorce was finalised in November.
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.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.
Madonna has also established a charity, Raising Malawi, which aims to provide accommodation, food, education and other support to orphans in the country.Madonna has also established a charity, Raising Malawi, which aims to provide accommodation, food, education and other support to orphans in the country.
What do you think of Madonna's decision to fly to Malawi to adopt a second child? Why do you think she's decided to do it?What do you think of Madonna's decision to fly to Malawi to adopt a second child? Why do you think she's decided to do it?
Are you in the country and what are people there saying?Are you in the country and what are people there saying?
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