Madonna dismisses 'reckless' Africa claims

The singer, along with the actress Angelina Jolie, was the subject of criticism from Mozambique-born supermodel Tasha de Vasconcelos.
Ms de Vasconcelos, who was forced to flee to Canada after the outbreak of civil war in her country of birth, said: 'You don't take a child out of Africa. If you want to help them, you help them inside their country.'
She added: 'This is why I do not advocate adoption out of Africa to a Hollywood lifestyle, as Madonna and Angelina Jolie have done.'
But a spokesman for Madonna, who has adopted two children from Africa, called the comments 'reckless'.
'Her children are thriving and well cared-for and are certainly being educated about their culture and where they came from,' the spokesman added.
It is rumoured that Madonna was inspired to adopt from Africa after a conversation with Jolie, who adopted Ethiopian baby Zahara Marley to her family in 2005.
Ms de Vasconcelos, who was recently made an honorary consul for the G8 to help bridge the gap between Europe and Africa, also attacked Madonna and Jolie for 'throwing money' at Africa without getting involved on the ground.
Her charity Amor is set to open an eye clinic in Malawi this year, the charity's second such project.
She said: 'They don't know how it is to be an African. In a tribe there's a chief, he's got a community. You have to respect the chief first, then meet with the elders.'
'You have to become close to the people on the ground: the ministers, the chief of the village, the people who are running the projects on the ground, and that means being hands-on. It is not enough just to send cheques.'

From www.telegraph.co.uk

Comments

[L Kimball]

There might be some truth to what Tasha is saying- unless the charity is honest (like Madonna's), you might not have any control over where the money goes. We have that problem even in the US. When I give to a charity, I want to make sure that money goes directly to the right people who are truly in need of help, not to line the pockets of some rich con artist.

But Madonna has a pure heart and taking care of the adopted children is noble. Madonna is so charitable, and a good role model for her children and the world! She brings the races, sexes and everyone together with her music, charity and good work.

[Clendon]

She's making an assumption that Madonna bought her kids. Maybe she did and maybe she didn't. Although I strongly believe the latter. And if she did buy them, who cares? She gave them a loving home with money and opportunities. She put two kids in a home filled with opportunities. And they could be something great now.

[ngl]

I agree with all your comments! Madonna has done so much for Africa- adopting 2 children, setting up a school, raising money & awareness of the poverty in Africa etc- & she gets nothing but criticism! I admire Madonna for her ongoing generosity to Africa, despite all the negative flak she receives, she keeps on going! Madonna deserves an award for her kindness- not spiteful condemnation. Isn't it interesting how Bob Gedolf gets nothing but plaudits for his African charity efforts. I think there is a sexist element to it- Madonna is a Rich & Powerful White Woman- and this challenges the system/ is threatening still in many parts of the world in 2013!

[Alex]

This a new attack against Madonna's wonderful action in
Africa orchestrated by the French news agency AFP.

A month ago, the AFP amplified without any care for the motivation of the author of the declaration, the unfair attack of a Malawian minister downgrading Madonna's efforts in building schools in Malawi.

Either somebody particularly dislike Madonna at the AFP or these agencies have real problems of content to transmit to their clients. In any case, this is sad and pathetic.

[Gilbert U.]

"It is not enough just to send cheques." Ummmm something tells me that the checks that they receive on behalf of Madonna are not being returned for not being "hands-on" enough.

[Jacey]

So I guess its better to let a kid in Africa starve to death then to give them a home with food and clothes. I laugh when people say its not right to take these kids away from their so called "culture". Since when is extreme poverty a culture enriching lifestyle.

[Bruna]

What is that woman talking about? Really? She pretends to leave those children in Africa? This is what I called people w no vision, Madonna has done more than adopt those kids, they're given the opportunity of a better life, better education, better future, than staying in Africa. If africans cant do better for themselves, why this is an issue then. Because of their culture?? Really? Wake up is 2013 already.