Malawi praises Madonna for adopting little David

BY OUR STAFF WRITER

Malawi Government has hailed international pop star Madonna for demonstrating that she is both a kind parent and has the welfare of orphaned children at heart.

“As government we believe Madonna deserves our praises for all the efforts she is doing to support orphans in Malawi. Her support and pledges truly reflect that she has the welfare of Malawian children at heart,” said Malawi’s Minister of Information Patricia Kaliati in an interview.

The minister was reacting to reports that the pop diva plans to work with luxury goods maker Gucci to raise at least US$2 million for orphans languishing in poverty in Malawi.

According to international news reports Madonna and the Italian firm have planned to host a dinner, a musical performance and a party on Feb. 6 next year which incidentally will mark the opening of Gucci’s shop.

Kaliati urged other international celebrities to emulate Madonna’s example by supporting orphans from poor African nations like Malawi.

“We know that Madonna has critics. Actually every celebrity has critics. But in terms of charity work, Madonna deserves praises even from her own critics. Just imagine she is running clinics and orphanages where government has failed to reach,” she said.

Kaliati however disputed reports that Madonna returns to Malawi this month to finalise the adoption process of David Banda.

“I don’t think those rumours are true. What I know is that Madonna will come to Malawi to finalise the adoption process in March or April next year,” said the Malawian minister.

Reports were recently rife that Madonna returns to Malawi this month. This was after Malawian Chief Welfare Officer Simon Chisale made the first of two scheduled home visits in September. He wrote a positive report about how David has bonded with his new family and this will be presented in court to back up Madonna’s application to adopt David.

Malawi government and High Court sources revealed a decision has been made to speed up the assessment period to finalise the adoption early this month.

But according to Kaliati, David Banda’s adoption cannot be speeded up as the law has to be followed to the letter.

The hope that Madonna will adopt the Malawian baby got a boost when Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika recently threw his weight behind the adoption process.

“As far as I am concerned, Madonna’s adoption of a Malawian child, David Banda, is a very welcome development,” Mutharika said recently.

The Malawian leader said he had no problems in Madonna adopting some more children from Malawi as that gesture is an indicator that the international pop star has joined the war against HIV/Aids in Malawi.

“While many people have made their comments regarding Madonna’s adoption of the Malawian child, I have no problem with her kind gesture. As a matter of fact, we need more superstars to either adopt or support orphanages,” he said.

Mutharika said Madonna’s interest in Malawi was unique in the sense that he had not only adopted a child but she was also supporting a number of orphanages. SMS Features- Malawi

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