During her much anticipated interview on Oprah, a teary-eyed yet resolute Madonna expressed that her focus was turned to Africa while doing Live AID in 2004 with Bob Geldof, and that she had “decided to adopt 2 years ago,” although a location was not in mind. However, while becoming familiar with, and experiencing Malawi during the formation of the Raising Malawi Foundation (the idea of which came about in November 2005) it seemed natural to adopt a child from Malawi.

It was evident that David Banda was already a very appreciated and cherished part of the family. Speaking of 13 month old David, she disclosed that, since his arrival at the orphanage when he was 6 weeks old, “he had survived malaria and tuberculosis, and no-one from his immediate family had ever been to visit him.” She believes, and rightfully so, that the obnoxious presence of the world press has frightened the local farmer, Yohane Banda, into a frantic worry over the adoption of his birth-son, after he had originally expressed gratitude toward Madonna for giving his son life in the face of certain death.

At the close of the interview, firmly reinforcing her mandate, Madonna articulated: “I will give David an education and a chance for a better life, and what better way to go back and help his own people, and help (Malawi), and be a voice for the people, than to be able to first have a life and be educated.”

Madonna intends to return to Malawi often, every year, and hopes that David will be able to go with her.

Sadly, it is not a celebrity trend that I see here, but rather prejudice, covetousness and misplaced resentment. And although Madonna has seemingly gained some understanding from a pathologically unkind media, this is only temporary, as usual. Yes, I am sorry to inform you that, in the words of Phil Collins and Genesis, “This is the world we live in.” - Kevin Dass