Madonna: Buying Her Way In Malawi?

(CBS)  In 2002, the world smiled with approval when Angelina Jolie brought back an orphan boy from Cambodia. No one mentioned the fact that in 2001, the United States government suspended adoptions from the country due to concerns about child trafficking.

Now Madonna is the poster girl for what critics say is an unfair advantage enjoyed by celebrities who want to adopt children from foreign countries. Some experts say that in taking custody of 1-year-old David Banda from Malawi, Madonna circumvented the African nation's strict adoption laws, which require the prospective parents to live in the country for 18 months.

"The part that is good is bringing attention to orphans of Africa, the fact that they need help," said Cheryl Carter-Shotts, founder and managing director of Americans for African Adoptions. "The fact that's not good is that rules and regulation that the average person has to comply with are dropped."

According to reports, Madonna also donated $3 million for the country to build an orphanage to care for up to 4,000 AIDS orphans — another sticking point for Carter-Shotts.

"You just can't walk into a country and disregard the laws and disregard their country Along with offering $3 million, she was going to build orphanages and teach her religion," she said. "$3 million is a huge sum of money for [Malawi]. Of course they would comply."

The New York Post reported that Madonna wants to spend some of the $3 million to drill wells to provide clean water, but that the water "will be Kaballah water." Madonna is a practitioner of the mystical Jewish sect; Malawi is a predominantly Roman Catholic country.

Madonna's spokesperson did not return The ShowBuzz request for a comment.

On Wednesday, the singer issued a statement that said she and her husband, Guy Ritchie, had been planning the adoption for many months prior to their trip to Malawi.

"Nevertheless, we have gone about the adoption procedure according to the law like anyone else who adopts a child," she said. "Reports to the contrary are totally inaccurate. The procedure includes an 18-month evaluation period after which time we hope to make this adoption permanent."

Other celebrities have adopted children from poorer countries. Jolie adopted her son Maddox and Ethiopian daughter Zahara. Meg Ryan has a Chinese daughter, and Ewan McGregor's daughter was born in Mongolia. Screen legend Mia Farrow pioneered celebrity international adoption. She has 10 adopted children, two of which are from Vietnam. The most famous is Soon-Yi Previn, who was born in South Korea and later married Farrow's longtime boyfriend, Woody Allen.

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[avira56]

I think the laws in that country are a bit arcaic. As long as she goes through the proper background checks and home studies, I say congratulations! I would like to see "stars" and those in the lime light pay attention to home. As an adoptive parent, we have so many children right here in the U.S. waiting for forever families.Everybody wants a baby but what about the older children? Ours were 9 and 5 when we became the luckiest Mom and Dad in the world and the adoption became final! They are great kids and there are more waiting. Call your local child welfare agency, talk to a social worker, meet the children, be an advocate for the many wonderful children right here at home! Thanks.

[xenalily]

I understand the point of those who are saying that what Madonna has done is good for this little boy- I am not disputing that. What I am saying is does this adoption come out of genuine concern or does it come out of wanting attention for your own agenda? HELLO Magic Kaballah? No one else thinks this is totally odd? This is so self promoting. It's an easy formula: Controversial Pop Star/Celebrity with struggling career + adoption of foreign orphan= attention in blogs like this and lots of mention in the news. It had become fashionable to adopt an orphan from another country- it's not a hand bag people it's a child!

[clestes-2009]

I doubt very much that Madonna is going to pay any attention to what is said about her, but I say "Great job!" Kids are this world's future and anyone who takes an orphan into heart and home deserves praise not some piddly *** critisism about how it was done.

[htownjesse]

Good grief, people! Get a grip and a clue. Instead of your complaining about her preferential treatment and....blah, blah blah, put your $ where your big mouth is and go adopt a child yourselves. She is bringing the only surviving sibling of 3 to a better world and life, period! How many of you nay sayers can say that? So, she may or may have not gotten to the front of the line? Oh, wait a minute, I forgot, there is NO line to adopt babies in Malawi. You just bash her for being Madonna, you must be so proud of yourselves. How petty and sad. You go Madonna!

[govslug]

I don't understand what the fuss is all about. The whole world is motivated by money, why should this be any different. So she moved herself ahead of the line, this child will have a better life because of it. Madonna have given thousands of dollars to good causes. Many others will benefit from her decision to adopt this child. So what if she is giving Kaballa water - water is water unless it kills you!

[babygirl60-2009]

What is the big deal. She should be commended for having what she is doing -- helping a child. What would become of this child if this had not been done. We are spending too much time and energy on this. Instead we should be concerned with the children that are being abused and sexually assaulted. Why punish someone for doing something that will benefit and give a child a better life. Ok get a grip and a clue!!!

[whatithink-2009]

"Truth be told, I am certain that a lot of celebrities are more reliant on the Nannies to be the parent, and they will very likely never change a single soiled diaper."

- Who cares? What were the prospects for this little boy had he stayed in Malawi - dying of malaria due to dirty drinking water is a better option than having his diapers changed by a nanny (God forbid!).

"I cannot help but think though what these celebrities have done to deserve preferential treatment over others who want to adopt."

- Here is a hint : rich people get special treatment in most situations, not only adoptions. That is life.

What drives me crazy is that people are upset that this little boy got out of a very, very bad situation more so than the fact that his two brothers died from something that was completely preventable. I just ask people to put themselves into these people's shoes and stop whining!

[xenalily]

I suppose what irks me and obviously some others is that all of this poor, disenfranchised orphan adopting seems so imperialistic and pretentious in many ways. Truth be told, I am certain that a lot of celebrities are more reliant on the Nannies to be the parent, and they will very likely never change a single soiled diaper. It is a wonderful thing that this child from Malawi will have an opportunity for a better life. I cannot help but think though what these celebrities have done to deserve preferential treatment over others who want to adopt. Madonna is very controversial and certainly any other 'regular person' who expressed their sexuality as she has probably would not be allowed to adopt a child. Angelina Jolie has reinvented herself as this great friend of humanity when just a few years ago she was getting attention for nibbling on Billy Bob's ear while he proudly announced to the cameras 'they just f'd in the limo', and sporting a vial of his blood around her neck. When deciding to come up with a new Good Will Ambassador, did the UN slap a tabloid on a dartboard with a blind fold and shoot a dart only to have it land on Jolie? When all of this gets digested, it seems that people pay attention to celebrities no matter how good or bad their behavior is.

[bellabella5]

Actually there was comment over Jolie's adoption.

Adoption clears a major step
Houston Chronicle
May 12, 2002

"Jolie and Thornton, like other families, still must apply for a U.S. visa for their son, but no problems are expected because the INS has investigated the case of each child it has cleared.

In all, 121 Cambodian children have been cleared for adoption or completion of adoption by 113 American families since Dec. 21, INS spokesman William Strassberger said last week.

On that date, the INS stopped issuing visas for children adopted from Cambodia amid concerns that some were not actual orphans. The action drew an outcry from families with pending adoptions and from some members of Congress."

[whatithink-2009]

Imho2,

I don't understand why you are angry that one child is being helped or that she started an orphanage to help many in this country. If the child was you, would you be here complaining that she brought you out of having to grow up where drinking water will kill you? In the end, should what you think matter to Madonna? I mean, if you made a decision to do something and Madonna came and said she didn't like it, would you care?