E-Paper
Madonna defies criticism, plans to adopt Malawi girl
Pop diva Madonna has reportedly told her friends she will not be put off by the barrage of criticism over her attempt to adopt a second child from Malawi.
Pop diva Madonna has reportedly told her friends she will not be put off by the barrage of criticism over her attempt to adopt a second child from Malawi.
The singer knew her trip to find a sister for her three-year-old adopted son David Banda from Malawi would stir up a hornet's nest and sent friend Ben Fellows an email that said: "Let the storm commence."
British filmmaker Fellows, who was himself adopted, said Madonna was determined to face the flak, the Mirror online reports.
"Once Madonna has put her mind to something, she achieves it - and this adoption is no different. She told me she thought it was very important that David had a sister, she had unconditional love to give another child and was going to jump through hoops to get her," Fellows said.
He further insists she will be a great mother to Mercy James, the three-year-old girl she wants to adopt.
But the child's grandmother Lucy Chekechiwa is now trying to prevent the adoption. Mercy, whose 18-year-old mother died five days after her birth, has been living in a Malawi orphanage and Lucy claimed it had been agreed the child would go to her when she reaches the age of six.
Children's charity Save the Children has also urged the singer to rethink the adoption and suggested that the child's extended family was better placed to look after her.