Kate and Joshua Pozzolo recently brought home Alice, a two and half year old girl from a small village in Malawi. They met her while volunteering at an orphanage and remained in Malawi for over a year and a half in order to go through the process of adopting her. Malawi requires a period of residency for perspective parents and although that time was not easy, they stuck through it to bring their daughter home. Malawi, a country stricken by AIDS, has over 1 million orphans looking for homes but the government’s strict regulations make it hard for people who are not willing to relocate as the Pozzolo family did.
Last year Madonna also adopted a child from Malawi. She breezed through the process and did not have to stay in the country as the Pozzolo family did. Child advocacy groups claim that Madonna was given preferential treatments and many are outraged that she did not have to go through the sacrifices that the Pozzolos and other couples do.
Although the Pozzolos were obviously frustrated by the fact that Madonna simply “whisked” into Malawi and adopted her son while they struggled and fought for their daughter, one can not argue the benefits the publicity has had for adoption. Adopting children from Africa is becoming one of the “hot” things to do in Hollywood. Even if Madonna and others like Angelina Jolie do not have to go through the same long process of adopting children, I applaud them for what they are doing. While obviously an increase adoption rate will not solve the problems of Africa, it will save children lives. If giving preferential treatment to Madonna enables her to adopt a child from Malawi and therefore raise awareness and publicity, I see no problem. Even if Madonna motivates just one person, then one life is changed. At the end of the day, there is one more child who is in a loving home and hopefully many more will continue to follow in the steps of Madonna and the Pozzolo family.
2 comments:
Kiki, I completely agree with you!
First, I think that the adoption process should be a lot easier in countries like Malawi. These countries do not have enough money for public spending and cannot possibly have adequate orphanages for children. Why should children suffer if people who can offer them a better life are willing to adopt them? And why should the adoptive parents have to go through such a hard process?
In addition, I believe that people who think it is unfair that celebrities get special treatment are simply selfish. If any child can get in a healthy family as soon as possible, it is a great thing! I also agree about the publicity. Superstars may have their lives easy at times, but people like Madonna and Angelina Jolie are good people and actually care about the world around them. Why should they be penalized for their good deeds?
The issue is far more complicated than just making the laws easier. It is true that these countries are severely in financial crisis and need a lot of support, but the simple act of making laws easier and "giving" the children of malawi to whoever is willing to take them is a pretty poor solution. As any one who has been to africa, and many other parts of the world, knows, culture is extremely important to the society. I highly doubt that canada or the united states would be willing to reduce laws enabling the mass flight of children to foreigners; and with good reason. Kids deserve their culture and to know the marvelous country that is malawi, or zambia, or any other country regardless of the financial situation of the government. I do support adoption wholeheartedly, but as someone who has been and learned the language and the culture, i also think it is extremely important. Support your governments in increasing aid, and more importantly trade, so that africa may take care of its own.
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