Madonna is moving forward with her appeal to formally adopt Chifundo Mercy James in the wake of her denied attempt to adopt the young girl on her most recent visit to Malawi. Madge published a public plea to the people of Malawi (and, presumably, the Malawian Supreme Court that is overseeing her adoption appeal) that she be allowed to adopt little Mercy … this is the first time Madonna has spoken publicly about her plan to adopt since her case was denied earlier this month. Additionally, Madonna has released an undated photo (taken some time ago, it appears) of her cradling Mercy James in her arms to accompany the official statement she published in the Malawian newspaper Nation:
Madonna has spoken for the first time about her failed attempt to adopt three-year-old Mercy James from Malawi, as a photo of the two was released to the press. The undated picture of the singer cradling the sleeping child was released to a news agency today as her appeal over the legal ruling neared. It shows a young-looking Madonna, on one of her trips to the country, sitting and smiling as a sleeping Mercy nestles into her arm. The singer made a public plea for the toddler in an email to Malawi’s Nation newspaper:
“I want to provide Mercy with a home, a loving family environment and the best education and healthcare possible. And it’s my hope that she, like David, will one day return to Malawi and help the people of their country. Though I have been advised that I cannot publicly discuss the pending appeal regarding my desire to adopt Mercy, I do want to say how much I appreciate the level of support that I have received from the people of Malawi and my friends around the world.”
Madonna adopted David Banda from the impoverished African country in 2006 despite critics claiming she had used her celebrity status to bend the country’s laws. Judge Esime Chombo turned down the singer’s latest adoption application because she didn’t meet the country’s 18 to 24-month residency requirement. Her lawyer Alan Chinula confirmed last week that she has filed an appeal.
It would seem that Madonna hopes to court favor with the Malawian people (and Supreme Court) by showing that she is capable of stepping into the role of Mercy‘s mother at a moment’s notice. It seems odd that, in her statement, Madonna would emphasize that she is not allowed to talk about the adoption by releasing a statement and photo to a Malawian newspaper. It, obviously, remains to be seen if this public plea will help her in any way but you cannot fault her for trying everything she can in order to convince the court to overturn the first ruling and allow her to adopt Mercy James.
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I don’t think the statement she released was that odd…It didn’t indicate anything specific or anything that wasn’t already known. The reasons she listed as to why she wants to adopt are the same reasons anyone who adopts a child would say. I think the biological dad of Mercy who has since come forward is totally shady. Hope whatever happens is in the best interest of the child.
Is that picture of her photoshopped? I still it’s great for her to adopt and all… but, still. Why doesn’t she just focus on the kids she has right now? I’m not saying she’s a bad mother or anything but she is constantly working and on tour and there’s no way she can give all of her kids 100% of attention. This whole thing just seems off and not in a good way.
I’m sure Madonna has good intentions, but her sense of entitlement is ridiculous. If she wants to adopt an orphan, why doesn’t she adopt an ACTUAL ORPHAN instead of adopting children out of existing families? (Mercy has a grandmother). As for the children who have families that are too poor to take care of them (like Mercy), it would be better to donate a tiny portion of her enormous fortune so that the families can raise their own children in their own culture instead of ripping them away from their countries with the racist/colonial attitude that one cannot properly raise a child in Africa given the means to do so.
I know she has opened orphanages in Malawi, but only under the condition that the children there are taught Kabbalah. I find it disgusting that she would tie aid to her own religious agenda. It’s like her own personal form of colonialism. If she wants to help so much, she should try opening schools and hospitals without her religious agenda, she certainly has enough money to do that.
@ Ella—I understand what you’re saying, but I get so sick of people saying, “why doesn’t she adopt actual orphans?” Mercy IS an orphan. Yes, she has a grandmother, but the grandmother isn’t caring for her, the orphanage is. If the parents and extended families (ie the grandmothers) were able to give proper care to the children, there would be no orphanages at all. Just because Madonna is a multi-millionare doesn’t mean she should be expected to financially provide for the entire country just to keep a child in his or her own country. Yes, she may have the money to do so, but as the one who worked and earned that money, she has the right to spend it how she feels best. I don’t believe she is “ripping” children away. Like it or not, you have to admit, the life, education, health, and opportunities for a child in the United States or other developed countries is far greater than what is currently in Malawi. The fact that it is associated with Kabbalah is no different from any other religious organization setting up funds or building homes/churches in poverty stricken countries.
Aaron well said..
I dont get it either, OF COURSE ORPHANS HAVE EXTENDED FAMILY, THEY WERENT BORN INTO MIDAIR.
and if Madonna was a rich man no one would question if she has help taking care of her kids, or if she should work or not. I mean thats like a feminists age old question, feeling guilty about working and having a family. You can do both and obviously Madonna proves that.
I question why Mercy’s been sitting (in limbo) in an orphanage for 3 years? If I was rich and met and fell in love with a child, I would pay a (decent) family or reliable blood relative to take her on – until the adoption is sorted out. Not having any attachment to a family unit for her first three years will be very damaging.
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I also don’t think Madonna should be stating that when David Banda is older, he will return to Malawi and be some kind of Ambassador / Savior to that country … Who knows what DB will become when he’s older? … He may end up a spoiled brat who does nothing but party. Giving him a job title for life (when he’s only 3) is unfair.