Korean Job Discussion Forums

Junior · Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Location: the eye

To be honest I think the whole circus is a bit ridiculous. The idea that westerners can easily go and get babies from the 3rd world is a touch offensive.

Madonna's Malawi child lands in U.K.
Oct. 17, 2006. 06:16 AM
KATIE FRETLAND
ASSOCIATED PRESS

LONDON � Armed police officers escorted the African infant being adopted by Madonna off a British Airways flight Tuesday, whisking him past photographers hoping to get a glimpse of the baby as he was being taken to the pop star's home.

Human rights groups want Malawi's courts to review a ruling allowing Madonna to adopt the child from this impoverished, AIDS-stricken southern African country, saying they want to ensure child protection regulations were not swept aside to benefit a singer who has been generous to the country.

The Malawi High Court granted preliminary custody to Madonna and Ritchie last week, waiving a law that requires would-be parents to live in the country for a year while social welfare officers investigate their ability to care for a child.
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&col=968705899037&c=Article&cid=1161079746016&call_pageid=968256289824

But..that boy is extremely lucky. I hope he grows up to use his wealth wisely to help the people of Malawi.

huffdaddy · Joined: 25 Nov 2005

cwemory · Joined: 14 Jan 2006 Location: Gunpo, Korea

This was BBC News' lead story this afternoon. I don't understand why this is news. Perhaps someone could explain to me why this is of any imporatnce or consequence at all.

Junior · Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Location: the eye

Adventurer · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

Big_Bird · Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 12:54 pm Post subject:

dogbert · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Location: Killbox 90210

I agree with Big Bird. If Mrs. Ritchie really wanted to help that boy, she should have provided money to his father/other relatives to raise him, instead of spiriting him away.

And what _is_ with this black baby as fashion accessory thing with celebrities nowadays? I'm worried they'll just keep them while they're young and cute, then throw them away when they're older, kind of like those baby chickens and rabbits kids are given as Easter presents.

Big_Bird · Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 10:24 pm Post subject:

As a Malawian, I'm sure this father will want his son back

Our babies don't have to leave the country in order to lead successful lives, says David Chitedze

Wednesday October 18, 2006
The Guardian

Yohane Banda, father of the baby Madonna is trying to adopt, may say he is happy that his son will be taken to a better place - but he is probably questioning whether he has done the right thing (Madonna adoption baby flown out of Malawi, October 17).

Coming from the same ethnic group, religion and district as him, I sense that he did not consult enough members of his extended family, let alone the late wife's family who feel the child is theirs too.

Adoption, especially when it involves taking the child out of the country, is not common in Malawi. I know one or two English expatriates who took their servants' children back home to England with them - but that was solely to help their education and didn't involve adoption. Yohane is an able man, not the poorest of the poor in our district of Mchinji.
I know people poorer than Yohane appears, but, with help, they raise and educate their young ones, sometimes up to university. Some children from such families now hold powerful posts in the civil service, academia and private sector. Most people in this country are religious and believe God looks after them; and when you hear stories of what some people in high-ranking positions went through as children, one does believe it.

I noticed the picture of Yohane on the front of one Sunday newspaper, with his left hand holding his head by the cheek. Culturally, this body language symbolises sadness and anticipation of trouble. He knows that the whole of his village is vilifying him for giving away his son.

The son has living relatives. It is true that it was difficult for Yohane to look after an infant but as the child grows older, and possibly with a new wife, Yohane would manage. One hears similar stories to this everywhere in the country.

To read full article click here

Junior · Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Location: the eye

The father is probably regretting his decision now as there has been intense media attention.

The "extended family" will change their tune though when the boy grows up and returns to the village as a multi millionaire. They'll be glad he went away then...

Big_Bird · Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 11:32 pm Post subject:

dogbert · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Location: Killbox 90210

"Madonna Flees After Baby Snatch"

Just realized that could be read an entirely different way.

Big_Bird · Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 2:34 am Post subject:

gypsyfish · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

It reminds me of the kid, Anneong, (sp?) on Arrested Development.

Hollywoodaction · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

�I believed Madonna would bring my son back�

http://www.irishexaminer.com/irishexaminer/pages/story.aspx-qqqg=world-qqqm=world-qqqa=world-qqqid=16842-qqqx=1.asp

daskalos · Joined: 19 May 2006 Location: The Road to Ithaca

I'm sorry, but "Madonna" and "Snatch" should never ever ever appear in the same thread title unless the subject is Madonna's vagina. There may be three people's minds on the whole planet that don't go there, but the rest of us just have to giggle.