Quick question - I have not been following the adoption problems Madonna has faced trying to adopt a lil girl from Malawi. But I thought the child's parents were opposed to the adoption, is this right? Now the court will allow her to adopt child???

so confused.

The mother is dead, the father was unknown. When Madonna applied, a man stepped forward claiming to be the father, though the mother's family had never heard of him and he was nowhere to be found throughout the girl's life. I believe they called for a paternity test but I don't know the outcome. The courts were denying her petition because she wasn't a resident of Malawi. That was overturned this morning, I guess.

I have way too much time on my hands

I haven't been paying attention either...but this is the lastest I found

Madonna has been in Malawi in the past days trying to adopt a three-year-old girl Mercy James, but a Malawian court has ruled that Madonna cannot bring any kid to the United States due to residency rules.


Judge Esmie Chondo said on a closed-door hearing Friday, ”I must have to decline to grant the application to Madonna. By removing the very safeguard that is supposed to protect our children, the courts by their pronouncements could actually facilitate trafficking of children by some unscrupulous individuals.”

Madonna was able to adopt David in Malawi a few years back. Apparently, Chifundo (Mercy) James is in the same orphanage that Madonna’s son David was in. Supposedly, only a Malawian resident, or someone who has stayed in Malawi for 18 to 24 months, can adopt a child. But this rule was waived in 2006 when Madonna adopted David and brought him home to London, even before the adoption was finalized. David became Madonna’s legitimate son only in 2008.

In a statement, Madonna said she is “able and willing to securely provide for Chifundo James and make her a permanent and established member of my family”. When she heard that her adoption request was denied, Madonna said, ”To deny Chifundo James the opportunity to be adopted by me could expose her to hardship and emotional trauma which is otherwise avoidable.”

Madonna’s hopes of adopting the 3-year-old girl has been criticized by the locals, accusing the pop star of using her fame and money to fast-track the adoption process.

With the sad news, you’d expect her ex-husband Guy Richie to be laughing out loud since the former couple did have a rough end to their marriage. But Ritchie has lent some positive support to his ex in light of a Malawian court’s refusal to grant her a second adoption.

In a statement, Richie said, “Madonna is a fantastic and loving mother who cares deeply about her own children and children who may need additional help and support. I fully supported Madonna in her decision to apply for this adoption, and I am saddened that her application has been rejected. She is motivated only by being a caring parent who seeks to share some of the advantages and opportunities that her life has given her. This time it did not work out, but there will be other opportunities, and I wish her well in them. She is a great mum.”

Meanwhile, Madonna is not letting this go without a fight - her legal camp has already appealed today’s ruling.

while I truly say Yay!!! to all who adopt children, I am curious to know why adopt outside of the US vs in the US???

agreed. The thing is if the child does have a family, you shouldn't take her from them unless she's not being cared for. Just because you're "Madonna" or "Angelina" doesn't mean you provide better lives for these kids because you're so rich. Going into other countries and taking these kids from their families and their own culture is wrong unless the child really is an orphan. Then if you want, donate so she gets medical attention and an education, a place to live, etc etc
Seriously, there's lots of US orphans that would love to go home with Madonna.

It's my understanding that the girl was in the same orphanage that she adopted her son from, she met her there and they bonded. Her mother's family are the ones who placed her there and they approved the adoption.

As for why not in the US? The only thing I can think of is that there is a very long wait for younger children (those under 5). Older children, yes there are plenty but most people don't want to adopt older kids. But I guess the only people who can really answer this are those who've adopted from outside the U.S.

...i would let madonna adopt me..just as long as i dont have to hear her sing...

Someone adopted Madonna? Why?

It's actually easier to adopt outside of the U.S. I know people that have done both.

i BELIEVE the restrictions aren't as strict outside the US

What Madonna really saying is that her nanny could be a better parent to the child than any third-world parent and that adopting foreign children is all rage and she must have Chifundo or she won't look as cool.

Why can't she adopt a child from the good ole USA, in a few short years it will be a third world country anyways??

Third world country.

He has spent all those trillions of dollars and where are we now??? Higher unemployment, taxes on the rise, inflation beginning to rear it's ugly head..this is going to be worse then when Carter was in office..you laugh now, but you will be crying later..

I was crying when Bush started going downhill. I'm smiling now.

Like I said... depends on the situation. An orphan is an orphan no matter what country he or she comes from and deserves to be taken care of.
My brother was adopted from Viet Nam after the war. The orphanages were overflooded with orphans from the war. To get on a waiting list and adopt an "american child" at that time when so many kids needed a home, would have been kind of selfish I think.

we will talk again in a few years and see if you feel the same then, if things change and my taxes go down and government is less intrusive in my life, then I will admit that I am wrong...but I don't think I will be.. :)

ok...my 2 cents....she only has money over a 3rd world mother.

just because someone might be poor or in a 3rd world country..doesn't mean she loves her child any less or isn't a good mother. she just may not be able to afford things like Madonna

I believe in adoption and encourage anyone that has a desire to adopt to do so, I think it is great that people have a big enough heart to open their lives to adopt a child..I just think too much has been made about her going overseas and adopting children, we have all different types and nationalitites here that deperately need to be adopted,and how can we look at ourselves highly for doing so when we have thousand of children in desparate need right here.

and having money sure does make the restrictions easier to bend - ie, residency requirements