African Adoption Without the Madonna Mess

'Misguided' Material Mom should use international adoption as a 'last resort'

(NEWSER) - By adopting Mercy James, Madonna has actually endangered other Malawian orphans, writes Anna Feuchtwang in the Daily Mail. “Corrupt adoption agencies and child traffickers, newly alerted to the ease with which Malawian laws can be circumvented, are even now planning to target the country,” writes Feuchtwang, chief executive of a charity that helps families stay together, citing examples of orphans sold into “forced labor or prostitution.” More»

Highest court grants permission to adopt

(NEWSER) - Malawi’s highest court ruled today that Madonna can adopt orphan Mercy James, the AP reports. The court, overturning a lower court’s rejection of the adoption bid, stated “every child has the right to love” and made the case that though the singer does not live in Malawi, “in this global village a man can have more than one place at which he resides.” More»

(NEWSER) - A UK-based charity is asking Madonna to reconsider her plans to adopt another Malawian orphan, the BBC reports. Save the Children says orphans should be cared for by their extended families, and that being whisked away by a fabulously wealthy foreign pop star was “not a solution.” Mercy James, Madonna’s intended adoptee, has a grandmother, who likewise wants the Material Girl to stay away. More»

Private jet ferries Mercy to London

(NEWSER) - Madonna’s newly adopted daughter left Malawi for London yesterday on a plane owned by the pop singer, Access Hollywood reports. Chifundo “Mercy” James was accompanied on the flight by a nanny and child nurse, airport sources said, and should meet her new brothers and sisters—including David, also a Malawian orphan—later today. More»

Orphan could jet to New York as early as this week

(NEWSER) - Mercy James is living the high life starting today. As Madonna’s lawyer prepares the adoption paperwork, the 4-year-old orphan will move into the singer’s luxury lodge in Malawi to be cared for by a nanny and nurse flown in from the US, the Mirror reports. She could leave for New York this week to meet her new sister and brothers. More»