Here is our first look at the first photo of Madonna with the young girl, Chifundo Mercy James, who she is hoping to adopt in Malawi. As you may be aware, Madonna has journeyed to Malawi in order to begin the adoption proceedings so that she can add little Miss Mercy to her family (as well as bring her adopted son David Banda back to his homeland to be reunited with his biological father Youhane) but up until now we haven’t been able to see Maddy and Mercy together. While touring the orphanage that has been home to Mercy for the past few years, Madonna was able to spend time with the little girl who is likely to become her daughter … behold:
LITTLE Mercy James looks back at her orphanage home as she walks away to prepare for her new life as MADONNA’s adopted daughter. The Queen of Pop was pictured with Mercy for the first time yesterday as authorities began finalising the adoption arrangements. Four-year-old Mercy held the hand of new sister Lourdes, 12, as she enjoyed her first family outing. They were surrounded by a posse of minders, but Mercy — wearing a blue dress — was seen laughing and smiling as she joined her new family. Madonna spent over an hour in Malawi’s High Court on Monday, when she told Judge Esme Chombo she would be “a deeply loving mother” to Mercy, whose Malawian name is Chifundo. In adoption papers seen by The Sun, Madonna says: “To deny Chifundo the opportunity to be adopted by me could expose her to hardship and emotional trauma which is otherwise avoidable.” The judge will give an official ruling on Friday — but Madonna, 50, has already been told that her application will succeed. The pop queen is due to fly to Britain on Saturday — and has told staff at her London home to “prepare for the arrival of my new little girl”. Madonna celebrated Monday’s successful meeting by throwing a dinner party at her luxury lodge. A charity worker who attended the bash said Madge was drinking wine and hugging her staff — while her adopted son David held Mercy’s hand and ran around excitedly telling guests: “This is my new sister.” The source said: “Madonna looked incredibly proud and happy, and David was so funny — he couldn’t leave Mercy alone and pulled her around all the guests.” Eight-year-old brother Rocco — Madonna’s son with ex-hubby GUY RITCHIE — has also been helping to welcome Mercy into the family by playing with her in the gardens of the lodge. A senior Malawian official yesterday confirmed that Madonna had been told Mercy was hers. The official told The Sun: “This is all very confidential, and Judge Chombo must still make her ruling — but that ruling will be in favour of Madonna. “Madonna is a very good mother and ambassador for Malawi. She has improved the lives of thousands of orphans.” The approval comes after The Sun told how Madonna had recruited two of Malawi’s leading politicians to help secure her second adoption.
Whether or not this report of Madonna‘s adoption being a “done deal” is true, I think it’s very telling that Madonna and her children are being allowed to spend time with Mercy James. If officials are fine with the little girl getting to know and spend time with her prospective new family then it seems to me that they’re pretty much on board with approving the adoption. I can’t believe that they would be OK with letting the little girl get close to her possible new family if there was any chance that the adoption might not go thru. Not that I really doubted that Madonna would be approved for her adoption but the photo says more to me than this report does. This may be the first photo of Madonna and Mercy but it surely won’t be the last. What a beautiful family Madonna is making for herself. Madge and her children are very lucky to call Mercy James one of their own.
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In response to the postings after mine, I mostly have a problem with Celebrities birthing their own children and adopting children from other Countries. For example, Branjelina had 3 biological children and adopted 3 children (all of which are from other countries).
Why can’t they adopt American kids too?
Why don’t they adopt American kids? Take a look at the difference between the federally funded foster care/adoption system in America and compare it to an orphanage in Malawi. I’d bet you won’t find starving children with a high risk of contracting AIDS sitting in hunts with absolutely no education provided and very little, if any, adult supervision in the American version.
actually Bah humbug, she is holding Lola’s hand…
Yeah, I think people should generally try to be a little less critical. Despite Madonna being “Madonna” with all of her trials, tribulations, divorce, trying to stay young, etc…..ultimately she’s doing a positive thing, helping others, shedding light on other cultures, and taking in a child that will have a world of opportunities before her because of this adoption. David now gets someone to relate to – there’s a lot of positive things in this. Helping others can never be a bad thing and Madonna is doing that. If I had her money and success, I’d probably be doing that too. But for now, I sponsor a child in the Congo through World Vision for $40 per month. It’s not as much as what Madonna can do, but every little bit helps. I would encouge all of you here to sponsor a child today, a child that belongs to any country.
Madonna lost her own mother at the age of 5, barely older than little Mercy is now. I think it’s clear she likely sees a lot of herself in that little girl who has also suffered through the death of her mother.
There’s not a thing wrong with Madonna welcoming a beautiful orphan into her own family and making a home for her. And there’s nothing wrong with nannies being an important part of the family structure. Better that Mercy and the other kids have a group of adults to rely upon than none at all.
I think what Madonna is doing is nothing more than a loving gesture for Mercy and toward the entire country Mercy was born in.
Madonna’s charity is supporting orphanages and building schools and health centers. Currently, her charity is TAKING CARE OF MORE THAN 4,000 children, how many children are all you critics sponsoring?
@Liz – Big up for pointing out this bottom line fact, I so agree with your point.