Tuesday, 28 August 2007

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Madonna's adoption of Malawi boy David Banda moving forward

Malawi social worker given permission to visit and assess the family

Madonna has caught a break in the saga hindering her and husband Guy Ritchie's successful adoption of young David Banda – a Malawi social worker was finally given permission to visit and assess the family.

"There has been a change of mind by my government minister," Penstone Kilembe, the director of Malawi's Child Welfare Services, said. "I am expected to spend two weeks."

Previously Kilembe had been refused an exit visa to make the trip, and had warned that this might jeopardize the Ritchies' efforts to adopt David.

Madonna is "looking forward to this so her adoption process is not hampered," Kilembe told Reuters Tuesday.

The matter was a "misunderstanding" which "has now been resolved," he said, adding that Madonna has been informed of the proposed visitation dates.

Madonna, 49, and Ritchie, 38, were granted temporary custody to take David to London after his biological father, Yohane Banda, had placed the boy in an orphanage following the death of his wife.

Malawi's High Court will rely on Kilembe's testimony to rule on whether the singer is properly caring for and should get final approval to adopt the child.

By Caris Davis