A NEW REASON TO CALL HER MA-DONNA

GEORGE RUSH AND JOANNA RUSH MOLLOY

New York Daily News

Angelina and Brad, get ready for a play date. -Madonna and Guy Ritchie plan to adopt a child in Malawi, according to government officials there. Her Madgesty's rep, Liz Rosenberg, yesterday confirmed that Madonna was in the southern African nation to help AIDS orphans. But Rosenberg insisted, "She has not adopted a baby."

"She is building an orphanage and child-care center and is involved in other initiatives," Rosenberg said.

She didn't say whether plans were afoot for Madonna to bring a baby home.

Social welfare official Benston Kilimbe said -Madonna was expected to file the adoption papers today.

Adrina Michiela, an -official in the Ministry for Gender and Child Welfare (and if you've ever been to a Madonna concert, you know she needs a gender minister), told reporters the Ritchies want to adopt a 1-year-old orphan boy, but they'd have to go through the usual probation period.

"According to Malawi laws, she is expected to stay with the child for 18 months for child welfare officials to assess the suitability of the family before we finalize adoption papers," Michiela said.

Michiela said the child could be cared for during those 18 months by the Network of Organizations for Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children, which will be set up by Madonna. In July, Madonna and Guy denied rumors they'd be adding to their family, which currently includes daughter Lourdes, 9, and son Rocco, 5. But she did tell Time: "Now that I have children and now that I have what I consider to be a better perspective on life - I have felt responsible for the children of the world."

Madonna and her caravan landed yesterday in the capital, Lilongwe, and planned to travel today to Mphandula, where few have ever heard of her, much less the kabbala.

Madonna's Raising Malawi project aims to set up a center to provide food, education and shelter for up to 4,000 children - reportedly guided by the principles of Jewish mysticism.