Madonna & the African Child

By

Phil Tam-Al Alalibo

The pending adoption by the material girl, Madonna, of a 13-month old Malawian baby has brought to the fore issues of morality and the exigent need to reevaluate the adoption process not only in Malawi but on the entire continent where adoption laws are rare and weak, if existent at all. The crust of the matter in this particular case has been the suspicion that the country’s adoptions laws may have been circumvented by officials in their rush to please a superstar who has come to their country to take one of their own. Resultantly, human rights and child advocate groups in that impoverished southern African nation have ascended the rooftop in grand opposition of the pending adoption. Many have even stated that instead of taking the child, Madonna could have empowered the father to start a business and care for his child or put the orphanage on a better financial footing

In the midst of these, however, it appears that much thought has not been given to the real issue at hand, the wellbeing and future of David Banda, the little boy in the eye of the storm. We all know that he did not have three square meals in that orphanage; we all know that he did not have the proper medical attention a child of his age should have; we all know that he slept in a mosquito infested hall on a bare mat with holes in it; we all know that little David did not have the love and proper care a child needs from a parent. Therefore, Madonna’s timely intervention could not be seen as degrading the boy’s living condition as some have opined. As the boy’s father noted, the future of his son is guaranteed in London with Madonna, not in the orphanage where he was deposited to rot and become one of Malawi’s casualties. It is doubtful if Madonna had given the boy’s father a cow and a goat or even some money to take care of his son that it would have lasted the duration.

If the truth be told, and if it is true that David’s father truly and freely agreed (in spite of his poverty) to the adoption of his son and proper legal procedures were adhered to, then David is one of the luckiest Africans alive because in Madonna’s care not only will he find a good education and a bright future, he would also find financial security and access to power, etc. Many African children would love to be in his shoes as they cannot find a decent meal to eat and they are not even in orphanages, not to mention clothing, toys, etc. The only question and perhaps, the most important one, is - will little David have a good moral upbringing? Can a white woman raise and nurture an African child to remember his roots and heritage, to respect his home, his people and his culture? Can a white woman raise an African child in the way he should be raised? How would David get along with his brother and sister, children of Madonna? Will he have inferiority complex? Will he be psychologically challenged as a member of the Madonna household? These are cogent issues that must be addressed and understood before the process is finalized

In all these, what is even more curious is the fact that Yohane Banda, David’s father, claims that officials told him a “Fine Christian Lady” was adopting his child. At the risk of sounding judgmental – Madonna, a fine Christian lady in the same manner President Obasanjo is a born-again Christian? This is a very intriguing characterization of the material girl who has defamed and ridiculed the Christian faith in her morally bankrupt offerings and sexually explicit crouch-grabbing videos that no well-meaning parent would allow their young children to watch. How many times has she appeared naked with only fig leafs covering the essential parts? How many times has the material girl been called to explain the contents of her musical lyrics to the Vatican or a bunch of Rabbis eager to get clarification from the singer? As it is now, we can only hope that David does not see those videos of his “mother” stripping in front of the world arousing men of feeble minds and is instead, raised in the way his parents would have wished him to be raised; that at an adult age, he would recognize his home and return to assist his Malawian family. In this context, this is an investment on the part of his father as well as a gamble – If David returns to Malawi as a medical doctor, a graduate of Oxford University and has the sense to help his father, it would be, indeed, the greatest investment his father would have made above and beyond his tomatoes and potatoes crops. This is even more appealing if Madonna is true to her word of bringing the child to Malawi twice a year and allowing his father unrestricted access

But in spite of all these unanswered questions, David must be seen in a better stead than his contemporaries in other African orphanages. In Nigeria, for example, the orphanages are very filthy, unsanitary and utterly unfit for children. No one cares about the children; in fact, the orphanages have been used as a means to get huge donations that filter into private pockets. As a result, the children are hardly fed and are sometimes abused, neglected and left to their own vices at such an early age. Some of these orphanages have even become a lucrative source for ritualists and native doctors to have the needed human parts to effect their rituals. It is indeed, pathetic. If Madonna had gone to Nigeria to adopt a child, I am very certain many children will be given up including those with healthy parents who are not in orphanages. After all, if some parents could sell their children for a mere $300, why wouldn’t they give them up to Madonna in hopes of reaping some of her wealth down the line?

A few years ago, I visited one of the orphanages in Lagos where a friend was finishing the adoption process of one of the little ones there. In the excitement of the news, I had offered to accompany him to the orphanage to see the precious infant. At the main entrance, we could see the children playing with no adult in sight. At that moment, anyone could have lured one of them with sweets and food into a waiting car and that would have been the end of it. No one paid attention, the children were at a great risk and at the mercy of pedophiles and other freakish minded miscreants in the society, of which, we do not lack. The orphanage itself reeked of urine and human waste – some of the youngest ones, just infants, laid crying as the adult attendants were far outnumbered by the orphans and could only attend to so many at a time. As though this were not enough, we were told it was the best in town

It was indeed, a pitiful experience that would break the heart of the most stone-hearted being and a sure indication of the thoughtless society in which we live. While this is happening to the weakest and defenseless ones in our society, the leaders continue their mindless looting without a care in the world. Many of these young girls who dump their newborn in the gutters on the streets of Lagos and elsewhere are themselves victims of this society --- unable to find jobs and care for themselves, they jump into prostitution, get pregnant and discard the babies – unto the next customer. It appears that in addition to our 419 notoriety, Nigeria girls are also becoming known as some of the world’s best prostitutes. I am told that in Italy and the Netherlands (especially, the Red Light District in Amsterdam) amongst the white men, Nigerian girls have become the prostitutes of choice and are going at a higher rate than the rest of the class. They have mastered the trade of pleasuring and professional sexing; further tainting the scared image of the country.

The Nollywood movie, Glamour Girl, says it all; a gruesome tale of prostitution of Nigerian girls in Italy and the inevitable effects on society resulting in the increase in the cases of sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS. Already, 4% of Nigerians have been said to be infested with the disease and it is very likely that the number is higher given our penchant for secrecy and fear of disclosure. What is even more worrisome is the inability of the Nigerian government to educate its young citizenry on the dangers of promiscuity and unprotected sex. It is even doubtful if the government has any interest in tackling the disease as Nigeria was conspicuously absent in the recently concluded International AIDS Conference in Toronto, Canada, a shocking occurrence that must disturb every discerning citizen. 

For those who are opposing the adoption of little David, are they truly interested in due process or it is a simple case of jealousy? If it is based on due process, their protestation is in order. If not, they should consider honestly what David’s life would have become in that orphanage. In this case as in all cases of adoption, the interest of the child must be foremost and David’s interest is better served in London with Madonna than in Malawi where he was most likely to die of malaria (at one he was already suffering from malaria, tuberculosis and pneumonia) before his second birthday; and if he survived, most likely would never see the four walls of a classroom, would not have any medical attention, would be malnourished, bloated with a big head and small body bearing evidence of his miserable lot, a poster boy for the hungry and sick. Though an illiterate, 32 year-old Yohane Banda, seem to be vast in the logic of the moment. When told that under the adoption laws David would never inherit any of Madonna’s wealth, he responded aptly – “Even in Malawi he would not inherit any wealth from me, so what is the difference? Let him go and make his own wealth.” 

Robot  # 1 | 27.10.2006 13:33

Madonna & the African Child ...Read the full article.

Akinyi  # 2 | 28.10.2006 00:48

No matter how you dice it, sautee it, boil it, fry it, roast it, microwave it, this child is perhaps one of the luckiest kids from africa. This kid is in thesame or better level like sons of an african country's ruler. Madonna's morals? Madonna is no worse in ethics or morality than many so-called religious people. Madonna is just Madonna. A fine lady.

fulani  # 3 | 29.10.2006 01:58

All the palava over this adoption is irritating. Here is the deal. Fact: Madona adopted this child to fill her sick void, as the latest fad. Not because she is so taken by this particular child. Fact: This child will probably benefit from living with Madona in ways beyond his wildest dreams. Fact: All those castigating Madona are doing so for publicity sake. Not necessarily for the benefit of the child.