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In 2006, Madonna got David, her Malawian adoptee. Now she is back again, this time bidding for Mercy, a four-year-old orphan. Never one for humility, the singer says: "I am the template or the role model for future adoptions." One hopes not. Too many stars like her are picking up kids on their travels.
In previous decades it was just Mia Farrow. Now the poor, foreign baby is a must-have thanks to Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise, Ewan McGregor, Madonna et al. Their hearts are good and motives too, possibly. But not enough deep thought goes into these decisions.
They could do more good without owning the objects of their desires. When I described in this newspaper my volunteering with FUN, an organisation that helps children who need an extra, trusted adult in their lives, I had a huge response, including from wealthy and well-known individuals interested in doing their bit but anonymously. I talked one famous TV actress through the commitment. She didn't go for it because she is so recognisable: "Where could I go with a child without being stopped, followed and photographed?" I admired her sensitivity and lack of ego. She now actively supports several Aids orphans.
Kids Company, run by the indefatigable Camila Batmanghelidjh, helps some of our most damaged, violent and self-destructive children. Here too you find celeb volunteers and backers who simply want to do their bit without drama. Gwyneth Paltrow is designing clothes for children, the profits from which will go to Kids Company. Ruby Wax says her life changed when she met Batmangheldidjh, who advised her to study psychology. Wax did and now gives much of her time to young men and boys who have turned violent.
To be fair to Madonna, she is funding projects in Malawi. But that looks like payment for the children. She could instead build a children's centre and promise to spend three months of the year working there to make a difference. Or she could put together a mentoring scheme and get her Hollywood mates to volunteer every year.
Such schemes, however, offer little glamour or PR pay-off, guaranteed when savvy celebs rescue ragged dolls, dress them in designer gear and show off altruism like tattoos. Which, let's be honest, is one reason why celeb adoption is so popular.
Reader views (10)
I don't think anyone can truthfully and honestly comment on what Madonna's motives and intentions are. In the same way as you wouldn't be able to reliably comment on anonymous Joe and Jane Bloggs of Essex going to Malzwi to adopt, unless you know Madonna personally you cannot make these comments or question her motives.
- Elmo, Barnet, 03/04/2009 10:10
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Why does no one seem at all concerned that adopting a child might be the last thing a woman who has just recently divorced should be contemplating.
Children need a good stable home.
- Jean, Canada, 03/04/2009 02:28
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What a ghastly sanctimonious race-obsessed old harridan you are.
- Squiz, Islington, 02/04/2009 22:53
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I agree with Yasmin. Spare us from news about celebrities in general. Surely the British reading public can't be that inane.
- Mark, Milan, Italy, 02/04/2009 22:00
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The very mention of the silly name of Madonna makes me feel ill.
T H Leeds
- Thomas Hayes, Leeds UK, 02/04/2009 21:37
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She is (as are the other celebrities) buying children, just an accessory.
I am wary of giving money to charities cos I've heard it goes from my pocket to someone higher-up pocket. So no thanks.
- Mariza, london, 02/04/2009 21:19
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Since when did Tom Cruise adopt a poor foreign baby, both of his adopted children are American with one of them being mixed race.
I can't stand Madonna, and I think it would be better for her to adopt an American child who would be more aware on what they are missing from life. Though I don't approve of adoption from other countries, I think Madonna's motives for adopting from Africa is very sincere, and that she views these children as infants who need love (which she will give them), not as an accessory. I think the problem the media have is that Madonna is adopting black children, because I doubt she would face the wrath of the media if she was adopting from Poland.
- Ben S, London, 02/04/2009 12:40
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Spare us Yasmin Alibhai-Brown's condescending diatribes.
- Bella Ferreira, London, 02/04/2009 11:45
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Leave Madonna alone on this. I can't stand her music, but what's wrong with "one child at a time"? That is a template we can truly all get behind. A lifelong commitment to a single child is worth far more than the typical celebrity donation of 30 minutes on Children in Need or giving a few quid to some "cause". Madonna probably gives more cash to worthy causes than you and your readers combined. To accuse her of "buying" children says more about her accusers than about her or her children.
- Bloke, London, 02/04/2009 10:08
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Who cares about this has been, only those who need to get a life. Madonna collects children like other people collect puppies to satisfy her own overinflated ego. African children must be the current 'must have' accessory
- Trevn, Abu Dhabi, 02/04/2009 09:10
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