Monday, 16 April 2007

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Madonna lands in Malawi with son David

The singer arrives amid speculation she'll adopt another child

Madonna landed in Malawi today with David, the 1-year-old boy she is in the process of adopting, in tow.

The singer, 48, arrived via jet and carried David down the steps to a waiting SUV, where a child's car seat was strapped in, the Associated Press reports. She was then whisked off to a luxury ranch by a three-vehicle motorcade.

When reports surfaced last week that Madonna would be making the trip, speculation arose that she was going to adopt another child. But her rep, Liz Rosenberg, told PEOPLE the singer would be overseeing the building of a children's health care center with her Raising Malawi organization.

"She is absolutely not adopting another baby," Rosenberg said. "I know that has been a rumor ever since she began the adoption process for her son David, but it just isn't true."

Yacinta Chapomba, a director of local aid group Consol Homes, told the AP a childcare center built with the help of Raising Malawi would have an opening ceremony Monday, but she could not confirm whether Madonna would attend.

The center, which is in the impoverished village of Mphandula, will initially house 400 children who lost their parents to AIDS, according to the AP.

Ahead of Madonna's visit, the road to the village where David's father, Yohane Banda, lives was been cleared, but it was unclear whether Madonna would visit him.

Her efforts to adopt David last year caused a worldwide stir. Malawian child welfare officials are expected to file a report on whether Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie are suitable as adoptive parents after two visits to their home in London in May and December, the AP reports.