Where the People and Friends of Africa Mingle

Africa: An Attractive Place to Adopt Children?

6 comments

Posted by: Misi on October 2, 2007 Under: Africa, Discussion Lounge, Ethiopia, Life & Culture, Malawi, People, USA, United Kingdom



Madonna & DavidAngelina & Zahara sue.jpg

I was watching ‘Without A Trace’ (a detective story about missing people) the other day and the story was about a famous American couple who adopted a little boy from Africa. The show focused on the kidnapping of the kid by some African men who claimed they wanted to return him to his biological father in Africa. I sensed the storyline was taken from the recent development of American stars adopting African children. Does this story sound familiar? If it doesn’t ring a bell, let me refresh your memories.

First, Angelina Jolie (or should I say Bradangelina) adopted six-month old Zahara in July 2005 from an orphanage in Addis Abba, Ethiopia. A year after the adoption the couple decided to have their first child Shiloh in Namibia, Africa. There must be something special in Africa that attracts the couples to children produced there.

Madonna followed suit when she adopted thirteen-month old David from Malawi, Africa. Many people around David and his new family referred to him as “a very cute baby” and a good brother to Madonna’s biological children. However, Madonna’s adoption battles didn’t end after receiving custody of David. Human rights groups campaigned to prevent Madonna from adopting a child and a charity even sought an injunction to stop the adoption but at the end of the day Madonna won.

Just this summer WCCO Reporter, Sue Turner adopted two children, Abegail and Emmanuel from Liberia, Africa. In Liberia alone there are 250,000 children waiting for adoption. The US Embassy in Liberia has become stricter on granting visas to the adopted children to crack down on fraud.

What do you think of this? Why the sudden interest in adopting African children? After all it is probably less complicated to adopt from America? So why Africa? Is it a new trend? I certainly hope not. Although I must say it is very nice these stars are providing African children with a better home than where they are coming from but I can’t help but wonder how these children will fit into their new families…

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6 comment(s)

  1. D-Tee | Oct 3, 2007 | Reply

    Are these gestures more of political statements?

  2. pammy | Oct 3, 2007 | Reply

    I know people will get on my back for saying this - but i do not trust celebrities and their “do goodisms” in Africa.

  3. shola | Oct 10, 2007 | Reply

    What about them don’t you like? They do for Africa more than the so called politicians. They help in giving the issues the coverage they deserve, they contribute money and their time. What else do you expect from them? Putting everything together I think they have done more good than bad.

  4. Michelle | Oct 31, 2007 | Reply

    Why do you see this as a problem, have you ever thought that these people have been truly touched by what is happening in some of these war torn countries and they honestly want to feel like they are making a difference in the lives of some of these children? Why is this so hard for you to understand?? I am a white American that lived and worked in Haiti as a volunteer more than 16 years ago. I worked at Mother Theresa’s home for sick and dying children and I was wrought with anquish over seeing the suffering of these children. If I had the financial means that these wealthier people have, I would have also adopted a child from Haiti. Lord knows I fell in love with many of them during my stay in Haiti. We are HUMAN and our hearts get touched by the absolute poverty and distress that these innocent children are subjected to. Sure there are plenty of children here in the US that need to be adopted, but when you have either lived in, or traveled to a 3rd world country and you see the absolute poverty and digusting conditions that many of these people are forced to live in, your heart simply moves you to help someone, anyone, get out of that condition.

  5. fobang divine anabah | May 9, 2008 | Reply

    hi, am a boy from cameroon living in norway and got an uncle who wife died two weeks ago while she gave birth to a healty babygirl and the is no one who can take care of the child and the child have been left in an ophanage in douala cameroon the child is just two weeks old today, wanna know if we could find some one who can adopt the child cuz i feel sad that a little child like that will come to the world and fom day one she start facing the world alone , wanna know if any here can give mae a suggestion on how to do this or help, thanks divine

  6. etta | May 19, 2008 | Reply

    please reply me back i am giving out my child for adoption if you o have interested in adopting her get back to me asap

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