Madonna takes David to visit orphanage as she's branded a 'bully' over Mercy adoption bid

Madonna takes David to visit orphanage as she's branded a 'bully' over Mercy adoption bid




Madonna's adopted son David now lives a life of incredible privilege, but today the toddler reconnected with his roots at a centre for orphans in Malawi.

The pop star, who is awaiting the outcome of her adoption bid for Mercy James, took her son to visit a school which has been built by her Kaballah-influenced charity Raising Malawi.

He waved eagerly at the young pupils as he arrived and was keen to show off his guitar-playing skills, presumably taught to him by his musical mother.


VIP visit: Madonna took her son David to a centre for orphans in Malawi which she set up through her Raising Malawi charity


Nice to see you again: David gave an enthusiastic wave to the centre's children, who looked a little wary of his arrival

But the group of more than 20 children seemed unfazed, if a little wary, of his presence.

The visit was a stark example of the life he has left behind following his adoption by Madonna in 2006.

Earlier today, David was reunited with his biological father for the first time since he was taken to New York.

Yohane Banda, who had criticized Madonna for not bringing David to see him sooner, revealed the three-year-old Malawi native did not recognise him.


Look what I can do: David, who now counts one of the world's biggest pop star's as his mother, showed off his new skills on a toy guitar

‘I was very happy to see him,’ Mr Banda said, after spending two and a half hours with his son at the exclusive lodge where Madonna is staying. ‘He asked me who I was.’

Madonna's arrival in the country has been plagued by controversy.

She was today branded a ‘bully’ by an African human rights group over her plans to adopt a little girl.

The Human Rights Consultative Committee claimed the singer was using her power and money to speed up the adoption process and take four-year-old Mercy James out of Malawi.

‘We feel Madonna is behaving like a bully,’ chairman Undule Mwakusungura said.


Memorable moments: Madonna's daughter Lourdes was seen taking photographs during the visit

‘She has the money and the status to use her profile to manipulate, to fast-track the process.’

Madonna, 50, came under fire just hours after she attended a private court hearing in Malawi, to try and secure the adoption of her second African child.

The Material Girl singer spent an hour before a judge in the country’s capital, Lilongwe, only to be told there would be no decision before Friday.

Court official Thomson Ligowe confirmed that the singer’s application had been adjourned, but refused to reveal any further details.



Judgement day: Madonna arrived at a Malawi court today seeking permission to adopt a second child however the case has been adjourned until Friday

Madonna, who split from husband Guy Ritchie last year, faced a similar backlash during her adoption of David.

Children’s advocacy groups accused the singer of wielding her wealth and influence to circumvent Malawian adoption laws.

Her critics claimed she had avoided an 18 to 24-month assessment period which was usually required before an adoption could take place.

The pop star’s attempted adoption of Mercy has sparked more fury and concerns from children’s groups about her suitability as a now single parent.
Family values: Lourdes accompanied her mother on the trip to collect her new sister Mercy

Family affair: Madonna, seen here with her daughter, arrived in Malawi yesterday to collect her 'daughter' Mercy

The child’s grandmother and uncles have also claimed they do not want to let the youngster go and have been given no clear idea of what the future holds.

But the family said they had been persuaded to give her up for adoption over the last two years, ever since Madonna first clapped eyes on the little girl.

Madonna met Mercy at Kodanani Children’s Village in the southern town of Bvumbwe, during her first visit to Malawi in October 2006.

Mercy’s mother, Mwandida, died aged 18, five days after giving birth to her. Her father, James, denied responsibility for the baby and cannot be traced.

The court docket listed the four-year-old’s name as ‘Chifundo' James, which means ‘Mercy’ in the local language.
learning English: Madonna's daughter Mercy

Learning English: Madonna hopes to take four-year-old Mercy James back with her to New York
Mercy with her uncles John and Peter and grandmother Anaphiri

More controversy: Mercy's uncles John Ngalande, Peter Baneti and grandmother Anaphiri say they do not want Madonna to take the child away

Madonna arrived in Malawi with Lourdes, 12, Rocco, 8, and David on Sunday and toured the village of Chinkhota, where she is planning to build a school.

The singer was photographed examining a 3D plan of the proposed building, but local residents were less than enthusiastic about the idea.

‘She has bought all this land and we are told everyone will lose their gardens and have their houses demolished,’ 43-year-old villager Lucy Chagoma said.


Malawi customs: The singer ordered her daughter to 'Say "Muli bwanji", which means 'How are you', as she greeted members of the village

Another resident, Esinati Nkhoma, said villagers were worried that they would not receive compensation for their land.

‘We are told to leave our gardens after this year's harvest, we are told our houses are to be pulled down but nobody is talking about compensation,’ she said. ‘Where will we move to?’

Charles Kalemba, the Lilongwe District Commissioner, said compensation was being handled by the government and officials from Madonna’s charity Raising Malawi.

‘Everyone will definitely be compensated,’ he insisted.
Madonna

Roaming free: Madonna recently split up with Jesus Luz, who was seen taking his dog for a walk in Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, over the weekend