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Celebrity adoptions in Africa unwelcome
Billy Jivetti Opinion ColumnistIs it fathomable that someone can fly from an African country to Europe or U.S., pick and adopt a child of choice within a span of a week?
A week ago, pop singer Madonna flew into Malawi on an adoption escapade whose procedures were hastily conducted raising widespread condemnation around the world. So what are the motives behind the emerging trend by celebrities and their gig in Africa?
Malawi is a densely populated country in southeastern Africa with a low income, poor access to medication or education, and higher prevalence of HIV-AIDS. According to the UN estimates of 2005, the life expectancy in Malawi is less than 40 years.
In a 2002 State of the World’s Mothers report by Save the Children, a US-based international non-profit working to save children, Malawi is among the leading countries highlighted for more attention. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) estimates about half million orphaned children in Malawi under the care of hard-up relatives.
In Malawi, international adoptions in Malawi are forbidden and anyone wishing to adopt has to be monitored by social workers for one and half years at least. The basis of such enactments is to protect children from negligent would-be parents.
Civil rights organizations are apparently angered that the Malawi government abrogated the law just to please her celebrity visitor and for the sake of international ‘publicity’ it was poised to generate.
For the Madonnas of this world, if you are rich and famous, you automatically qualify to adopt from Africa. This is a dangerous precedent. How many of them ever put Africa in their discography?
A quick background check into the stage and social life of Madonna negates her ability to be a good model and therefore a mother for African children. All those wishing to adopt must have a clean background. A tainted and doubtful integrity is an affront to the sanctity of African cultures.
Madonna opens a conduit for celebrity misfits or perverts like sex offenders and child traffickers to begin prowling the shores of Africa for adoption. To some, African babies have been reduced to another stylish accessory that is a must-have.
The decision by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie to have their baby born in Namibia earlier this year was great. But wasn’t it just another gimmick to attract media attention that wouldn’t have come from a delivery at a Beverly Hills Hospital where other ordinary ‘stars’ and people go for delivery?
My heart goes to U2’s Bono for his relentless efforts to highlight the poverty, debt, Aids, and other problems of Africa. He has used his wealth and status to traverse the African continent many times and continues to lobby around the world for Africa’s issues. He teamed up with Oprah recently to launch an iPod whose proceeds will go towards helping those with AIDS.
There will be more than 18 million orphans in Africa by the end of the decade, a UN report posits. Each of these children deserves to be given a second chance to experience a normal life and a lot needs to be done.
Adoptions are welcome for anybody but not the necessary means to address the problem. Rather than just pick one child out of thousands, it would be better to channel the few resources to help an entire village.
Adoptions should never be used as a subterfuge to boost one’s ego or career. Be reminded that charity begins at home. They should not pretend to be concerned about Africa while they remain insulated to the plight of destitute and disadvantaged children in these Western societies.
Oprah did not adopt, she built a school for a village, and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation are helping provide technology for rural African schools. Mutombo Dikembe, a professional NBA star is constructing a multi-million dollar hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Last year, African songsters gathered for a concert about malaria in Africa. Nelson Mandela, Africa’s all time celebrity always celebrates his birthdays amidst hundreds of children. That is the true spirit of Africans.
If Madonna was to adopt a pet, she would pretty much follow the some set rules, and if that is true, then much more caution is needed for adopting children. That is why I condemn her actions as unwelcome and illegal. However, the buck stops with African nations that must not be decoyed by the whims of such self-seeking individuals.
Madonna opens a conduit for celebrity misfits or perverts like sex offenders and child traffickers to begin prowling the shores of Africa for adoption.
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