A little bit of Malawi escaped disease, poverty, and the only people he has ever known and loved this morning.
A bodyguard and a world famous performer's personal assistant accompanied 13-month-old David Banda on the journey from the bowels of the third world to one of the loftier peaks of the first world on an overnight flight from Malawi to Johannesburg to London, covering a distance not only great geographically, but one spanning almost the entire socioeconomic spectrum of mankind.
The child — who has been living in a penurious village orphanage near the Zambian border since his mother died shortly after his birth — was covered in a gray hoodie and escorted by security through Heathrow airport and out a back door to an awaiting silver Mercedes minivan with darkened windows, which then sped him to his new mother-in-waiting, Madonna, and her posh, burnished, immaculate central London mansion, despite protests from a number of children's groups back home.
In response to accusations of special treatment due to her wealth, contributions to the nation through her Raising Malawi charity, and iconic status, the superstar said today via a statement, "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," adding (a bit defensively) that she and her husband had begun the adoption process "many months prior to our trip to Malawi."
She continued, "After learning that there were over 1 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."
Wait a minute: "in many cases death"? Someone may need to break it gently to the former Material Girl that — kabbalah or no — death awaits us all.
Article comments
1 - Progman
Maybe we should not presume to know the details of another person's very personal decision. While the adoption of a child from one country to another may not be ideal, it certainly does seem to be motivated by good intentions and is probably a better option than growing up in poverty. Also, while the biological father is mentioned briefly and it is suggested that he should be helped to raise his own child, that is very likely not an option. We know nothing of the details of this case so sarcastic pot-shots hardly seem warranted.
2 - pleasant
After 20 something years, Madonna has finally done something I can appreciate. God Bless her. I really think this is genuine on her part. It's not like she "needs" publicity given that she's still ranking in the cash on her awful overpriced concert tours.
3 - Eric Olsen
I have zero doubt David's "outer life," health, education, etc will be vastly better than it would have been - I don't know about his "inner life."
My final statement in the story is only a little bit sarcastic: the option of supporting the boy and his father WOULD be a lot less fun than having him for herself. I am not trying to put Madonna down, just ponting out how complex this kind of thing is.
4 - sal m
isn't this story just a rip off of the set up from citizen kane? with a slight twist? instead of a sled, what will be little david madonna's "rosebud?"
5 - Eric Olsen
it's also The Prince and the Pauper, but no one is being sent to Malawi to take the boy's place - any volunteers?
6 - Matthew T. Sussman
The screaming baby on my flight back home would make a great candidate.
7 - Cheryl Guzell
Being involved in Missionary work. I can't see where this helps the people. The people will never see the money. They have no welfare checks, but, if you teach them, they will teach generations to come.
What did Madonna leave for the people? What did she teach them? Did she help plant gardens? Did she bring seeds? That is what they need.
These people are happy with very little because they don't know anything else exists. I have been there. The African people are just like us.
Except they smile and dance more than us. Who is
better off? That little boy will miss the simple life. Their culture is very different. They come to America to go to school(with our sponsors) but they go back to teach in their country and make it stronger. No one makes them go back. They miss their homes, most have dirt floors.
[Personal contact info deleted]
We maintain an orphanage of 50 Ugandan children by donations from people here who adopt them but they stay there in Uganda.
We helped them to plant a coffee farm and now they have thousands of pounds of coffee that is marketed in the USA and all the profits support the Bunyoro Kitara Diocese. Plus so much more.
God Bless,
Cheryl
8 - Eric Olsen
thanks Cheryl - best of luck with your noble work
9 - Eric Olsen
I would add that Madonna is putting money directly into Malawi through her Raising Malawi charity - adopting the boy is another matter
10 - Dan
I hope Madonna doesn't find a cure for cancer. Imagine how much of a backlash that will cause! Anyway, she's a self-centered egomaniac, slutty, arrogant bitch. And that is why I, as well as many, love her so much.
11 - Eric Olsen
the latest I am hearing is that she is moving the adoption process to the U.S.