Plan (International) statement on Madonna’s Malawi adoption decision
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Plan statement on Madonna’s Malawi adoption decision
3 April 2009: Leading international children’s organisation Plan today welcomed a court decision declining Madonna’s adoption of a second African child.
The star had applied to adopt a 4-year-old girl from a Malawi orphanage in a similar move to her previously adopted son David. An official court decision declined the bid on residency grounds today.
A Plan spokesman said: “While Madonna’s intentions were no doubt well-meant and while we feel for her in this case, whisking a single child off to a ‘fairytale’ lifestyle in Hollywood is not something we condone.
“We endorse keeping children within their community wherever possible, where there is often extended family nearby.
“We believe a better way for her to help would be to act as a champion of change and use her celebrity status and profile to influence government and businesses to ensure a better life for the country’s children. That way all Malawi’s children would benefit and not just one or two.”
As a child development organisation, Plan campaigns for individual child rights while ensuring that all the children in the community benefit.
Our health, education and livelihood programmes provide long-term development and sustainability for children and their communities throughout the country providing choice and opportunity for a better future. Plan has worked in Malawi since 1994 and actively supports child rights.
Notes to editors:
Plan International is a leading children’s non-governmental organisation working in 49 developing countries to improve the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged young people. Plan works with more than 3,500,000 families each year throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America. Plan is committed to working with local communities to strengthen children’s rights.
3 April 2009: Leading international children’s organisation Plan today welcomed a court decision declining Madonna’s adoption of a second African child.
The star had applied to adopt a 4-year-old girl from a Malawi orphanage in a similar move to her previously adopted son David. An official court decision declined the bid on residency grounds today.
A Plan spokesman said: “While Madonna’s intentions were no doubt well-meant and while we feel for her in this case, whisking a single child off to a ‘fairytale’ lifestyle in Hollywood is not something we condone.
“We endorse keeping children within their community wherever possible, where there is often extended family nearby.
“We believe a better way for her to help would be to act as a champion of change and use her celebrity status and profile to influence government and businesses to ensure a better life for the country’s children. That way all Malawi’s children would benefit and not just one or two.”
As a child development organisation, Plan campaigns for individual child rights while ensuring that all the children in the community benefit.
Our health, education and livelihood programmes provide long-term development and sustainability for children and their communities throughout the country providing choice and opportunity for a better future. Plan has worked in Malawi since 1994 and actively supports child rights.
Notes to editors:
Plan International is a leading children’s non-governmental organisation working in 49 developing countries to improve the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged young people. Plan works with more than 3,500,000 families each year throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America. Plan is committed to working with local communities to strengthen children’s rights.
2009 Apr 3