Father of Orphan is Changing His Story

Africa has an abundance of orphans and Madonna chooses one who has a living parent, a father. Granted, he gave him up, but now it is causing all sorts of unneeded controversy. The father, who previously supported Madonna adopting his child is now saying differently.

The biological father of the Malawian toddler Madonna plans to adopt has said that he was not clearly told whether by allowing his only son to be adopted by the singer he was giving him up for good.

"Our understanding was that they [Madonna and British filmmaker, Guy Ritchie] would educate and take care of our son just as they were doing at the orphanage," said 32-year-old illiterate peasant farmer Yohane Banda in a telephone interview from Lipunga Village where he ekes out a living growing onions and tomatoes.

Banda said his understanding was that, "when David grows up he will return back home to his village." He said of Director of Child Welfare Services Penston Kilembe and retired Rev. Thomson John Chiepta, Director of the Home Orphanage Centre where Baby David has spent most of his life. According to him, he was never told "adoption" meant David would cease to be his son.

"If we were told that she wants to take the baby as her own we could we could not have consented because I see no reason why I should give away my son," Banda tells Us.

Banda swore and signed adoption papers for the 13-month-old toddler in the High Court in the capital, Lilongwe, before Justice Andrew Nyirenda granted the celebrity couple a "temporary order" to take away the baby. He says he is illiterate and could not read the documents.

source: US Weekly

-LB