Yes, finally. Madonna and Guy Ritchie were given the needed approval by a Malawian judge, Justice Andrew Nyirenda, on Wednesday for David to remain in their home. Remember, Madonna met little David Banda in an orphange back in October 2006, when she arrived in Malawi to establish her different charity projects. David's mother died when he was only a month old and his father, Yohane Banda, a farmer, felt it was in David's best interest to be placed in an orphange. Various news reports are stating that Yohane is happy that David has found a good home.
Madonna has been getting rough press again for stating that there were no real adoption laws in Malawi before she adopted David. It seems that the Malawi government are not too pleased to hear these reports. Malawi law stated that the prospective adoptive parents were to live with the child in Malawi for 18 - 24 months before being granted approval for adoption. Madonna and Guy Ritchie didn't have to follow this rule and were allowed to care for David in their London home with their other two children, Rocco and Lourdes. So, it appears that there was a law, but David Banda's assessment period was conducted in their home.
I'm happy for the family. I'm sure that this was an extremely stressful 18 months for the entire family. Now, they can just get on with the business of life.
SOURCES:
Judge approves Madonna's adoption of Malawian boy - The Associated Press
Judge Approves Adoption by Madonna - The New York Times
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Related Reading: Back Blogs on the Madonna Adoption (just some highlights)- October 26, 2006 - Madonna on Oprah
- July 17, 2007 - Madonna's Home Study Approaching
- August 28, 2007 - Adoption Moving Forward
- September 4, 2007 - Penstone Kilembe Is Removed from the Case
- January 8, 2008 - News of Impending Finalization