Madonna defies criticism, plans to adopt Malawi girl
April 2nd, 2009 - 12:43 am ICT by IANS
London, April 1 (IANS) Pop diva Madonna has reportedly told her friends she will not be put off by the barrage of criticism over her attempt to adopt a second child from Malawi.
The singer knew her trip to find a sister for her three-year-old adopted son David Banda from Malawi would stir up a hornet’s nest and sent friend Ben Fellows an email that said: “Let the storm commence.”
British filmmaker Fellows, who was himself adopted, said Madonna was determined to face the flak, the Mirror online reports.
“Once Madonna has put her mind to something, she achieves it - and this adoption is no different. She told me she thought it was very important that David had a sister, she had unconditional love to give another child and was going to jump through hoops to get her,” Fellows said.
He further insists she will be a great mother to Mercy James, the three-year-old girl she wants to adopt.
But the child’s grandmother Lucy Chekechiwa is now trying to prevent the adoption. Mercy, whose 18-year-old mother died five days after her birth, has been living in a Malawi orphanage and Lucy claimed it had been agreed the child would go to her when she reaches the age of six.
Children’s charity Save the Children has also urged the singer to rethink the adoption and suggested that the child’s extended family was better placed to look after her.
- Madonna urged to leave Malawi orphan alone - Mar 29, 2009
- Madonna to open an orphanage - Jun 30, 2011
- Madonna's Malawian daughter forgets native language - Oct 28, 2009
- Granny wants to stop Madonna from adopting girl - Mar 28, 2009
- Madonna's Malawian daughter's family plans to sue over break of visit vow - Feb 07, 2011
- Madge's adopted daughter Mercy's granny says orphanage was to return the girl to family - Jun 28, 2009
- Mercy's granny never wanted to give her to Madonna permanently - Jun 29, 2009
- Malawian girl's gran vows to stop Madonna from 'stealing' her - Mar 28, 2009
- Madge's adoptive daughter's family has no legal right to see her: Lawyer - Feb 10, 2011
- 'Ecstatic' Madonna wins second Malawi adoption case - Jun 13, 2009
- Madonna's adopted Malawian kids lose their native lingo - Oct 28, 2009
- Madge won't allow Malawian dad to meet adopted daughter Mercy - Aug 30, 2010
- Madonna back in Malawi - Apr 06, 2010
- Madonna 'snubs' adopted kids' families in Malawi - Nov 01, 2009
- Madonna appeals adoption case in Malawi - May 04, 2009
Tags: adoption, april 1, barrage, david banda, email, fellows, flak, grandmother, great mother, hoops, hornet, hornet s nest, lucy, madonna, mercy james, old girl, old mother, orphanage, pop diva, unconditional love