Days after her documentary about the plight of AIDS orphans in Malawi “I Am Because We Are” opened to critical acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival, Madonna’s long battle to adopt Malawian David Banda is over.
A Malawian court on Wednesday ruled that Madonna could adopt a baby boy she met in an orphanage in the impoverished southern African nation, a lawyer for the U.S. pop star said.
“We are very happy with what the judge has ruled. It is a positive and beautiful judgment that will have an impact on Malawi’s adoption laws,” Malawian lawyer Alan Chinula told Reuters.
The High Court judge issued the ruling privately in chambers in Lilongwe in the company of lawyers. It was expected to be made public on Wednesday.
Madonna’s adoption of David Banda has been controversial, with critics accusing the government of skirting laws that ban non-residents from adopting children in Malawi, which has been badly hit by the AIDS epidemic.
Madonna said last week the controversy had been difficult to deal with but she was happy to be involved in a case that might pave the way for more adoptions in Malawi. An estimated one million children in the country have been orphaned by AIDS.
Source: Malawi court approves Madonna adoption: lawyer
Earlier this week, the Malawi government granted Madonna honorary Malawi citizenship in recognition of her humanitarian efforts in the country.
As well as adopting her son David from the African country, the Four Minutes singer funds several orphanages in the land, feeding and educating thousands of youngsters. Caring Madonna is also setting up a girls’ school near the capital to help the underprivileged.
“We are proud as a country to be associated with such a megastar,” Billy Kaunda, Malawi’s deputy tourism and culture minister, was reported as saying.
“She will have freedom of all cities here. She won’t be bothered with issues like visas and other limitations.”
Source: Madonna ‘to be given Malawi citizenship in thanks for her work’
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Malawi Court Approves Madonna’s Adoption of Malawian Son David Banda
