A few days ago I ran across this interesting article about Madonna’s return to the African country of Malawi sometime this month. The article mentions a planned visit between Madonna, her adopted son David Banda, and David’s biological father, Yohane Banda.

Could Madge be turning some tides in the world of International and Open adoption? Could she be starting something, very visibly that will help others think more compassionately about contact? Well this mom certainly hopes so.

What Madonna could do to further the world’s perception of openness in adoption could be nothing short of miraculous. Imagine! A celebrity adoptive mom, treating a birthparent with respect! Publicly acknowledging that contact and openness is OK, not scary, POSITIVE in fact. Someone with as much visibility as Madonna, could do a whole lot to show others around the world, that birthparents are just as worthy of respect as anyone else. Wow, one could only hope that things will go as planned, a visit will occur, and that those of us watching will see some other light bulbs going off because of it.


As far as I can recall, none of the other recent, notable celebrity adoptions have included any ongoing contact with birthparents. In fact with some, Angelina Jolie comes to mind, we heard birthfamily coming forward to voice their conflicting feelings over the adoptions of her children, and just as quickly, they disappeared. I admit that hearing these birthparents come forward, yet not seeing how they were fully heard, or treated with respect by the adopting celebrity parents, left me with a bit of a sour taste in my mouth.

This appears to be headed in a more positive direction, one that I feel could be the best for little David, if it materializes.

In the November 4th article, an interview with birthfather, Yohane Banda, talks about his hopes for seeing his son again, and his faith in Madonna to do what is right.

"I am not worried about David," Banda said. "I know Madonna means well for him. In any case when I met Madonna in court she promised to be bringing David back after three to four years. I know she is a noble woman. I am told she is also very religious. She can't go back on her word."

Yohane I am holding out hope for you too. I hope that you trust is well placed, and that Madonna will remember her promises to you. Most of all I am hoping that little David will see this proposed openness and contact come to pass. To me nothing would be more wonderful than this child being able to grow up knowing and experiencing the love of all of his parents.

Madonna Adoption In The News. . . Again


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