Madonna wins adoption appeal for little girl in Malawi

As we foretold a few days ago, Madonna and her lawyers have persuaded the courts in Malawi to allow the completion of her plans to adopt 4-year-old Chifundo “Mercy” James after all. The adoption was blocked in March because a lower court ruled Madge had to live in the country for at least 18-months before she applied, but somehow judges have now changed their minds. Madge, 50, has campaigned for two years to gain legal custody of Mercy, and took her effort to adopt the child to Malawi’s highest court last month after a lower court ruled the adoption did not meet local law.

The Material Mommy has been seriously keen for Mercy to be a sister for adopted son, David Banda, who made the trip from Malawi in 2006. As for the lady herself, a close friend told the press, “She’s ecstatic! She made a promise that she wouldn’t give up on Mercy, and she could move mountains when she’s this determined.” Mercy has lived in an orphanage for most of her life; her teenage mother died shortly after childbirth.
Madonna has been involved with Malawi for several years and made a documentary, “I Am Because We Are,” to highlight poverty, AIDS and other diseases devastating children in the country. She also co-founded a nonprofit group, Raising Malawi, that provides programs to help the needy.