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Credit: James Devaney/WireImage.com

Exclusive: Malawi Orphan to Madonna: "You Are Our God"

Wednesday – October 28, 2009 – 7:24pm

On Tuesday, along with his mother and siblings Lourdes, Rocco and Mercy, David Ciccone Ritchie made his first return visit to the Malawi orphanage where Madonna found him in 2006.

The high point of the family's outing at the Home Child Care Center in Mchinji, Malawi: when David, 4, and his adoptive mother approached his original crib.

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"It was an emotional moment," the center's director, Lucy Chipeta, tells Usmagazine.com, noting that the pop star, 51, wept. "David is too young to understand . . . but for us who remember the sickly tiny little baby of 2006, it was hard to hold back tears, including Madonna."

"He is so boisterous! I can't believe he is the same chap of 2006," orphanage founder Thomson Chipeta told Us.

And Madonna's celebrity -- her Raising Malawi charity has helped fund the orphanage and five others in the country -- was not lost on the kids, either.

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"You are our god," one young orphan told her. "Where could we have been without you?"

An onlooker noted that Madonna looked bemused by the comment but "seemed cool with it."

Next, the uniformed children performed a traditional "warrior dance," with David eventually gyrating to the beat as he watched alongside Madonna. Later, he and Mercy played with his old friends and he spoke a few words in Chichewa, the language spoken there. (Mercy, on the other hand, can no longer speak Chichewa. "She is pure American now," an observer said.)

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Later this week, Madonna plans to meet with Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika -- and with James Kamebewa, the biological father of Mercy.

"If this young man has a story Madonna wants to hear it. If Mr. Kambewa is the dad, then Madonna won't shield him from Mercy," a Raising Malawi source tells Us.

Malawi is one of the southern African countries greatly devastated with HIV/AIDS. At least 14 per cent of the 13.1 million population has HIV, the virus that can lead to AIDS. There are over 2 million orphans, half of them as a direct result of HIV/AIDS.

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Comments

(24)

1 - 20 of 24 | Next »

  • October 30, 2009 - 12:20am anon Says:

    What daft comments! How can she possibly control what a child will say? She was surprised at his comment and nobody really knows what truly occurred unless they were there. She's a great person giving a millions and helping the lives of thousands of children and adults in one of the poorest countries out there.
  • October 29, 2009 - 11:49pm Kerry Says:

    She has done so much for Malawi and people are genuinely grateful for what she has done and continues to do. She is building a $15m medical & science school for girls. She's built several schools, health centers, and given scholarships to thousands of children and employed thousands of adults to care for and teach the orphans, what have you done? How dare you judge her when she is doing good in the world. These disgusting comments just reflect the darkness in your hearts and souls.
  • October 29, 2009 - 11:47pm Jane Says:

    The child was happy and praised her, she was surprised by his comment, but then moved on and didn't make a big deal about it, what is wrong with that? And this is third hand account, nobody here was there to really know what actually occurred.
  • October 29, 2009 - 3:03pm greg Says:

    modonna is not a god just a good person with a huge heart. people, please don't judge her for helping others.
  • October 29, 2009 - 2:05pm Tribalchick Says:

    I think that Madonna has done a great thing - Although she can't save the world, she has saved a child from what would otherwise have been a very unfortunate future to look forward to. I say my hat's off to you Madonna. HOWEVER... What about the homeless children in america. These adoption practices now seem to be the latest Craze - Did some countries have a "Blue Light Special" Saying: "Hey all you White Celebrities - Come get your African child while you can" They're going fast.??? What's wrong with helping the children in the country to which you have acquired your millions???????
  • October 29, 2009 - 1:43pm Aliana Says:

    Madonna's my god too! I love Madonna. She's doing great things in the world for the suffering. Jesus would have been proud that she is giving back. Bless her. And bless that little girl too! That was an honest moment. Madonna is a great role model and if anyone deserves to be called a god (or goddess), it's Madonna.
  • October 29, 2009 - 12:40pm shut it Says:

    "You are our god," one young orphan told her. "Where could we have been without you?" An onlooker noted that Madonna looked bemused by the comment but "seemed cool with it." ................... this is whats wrong with the world..what a rediculous thing to say...and to Tranny Madanny of all people
  • October 29, 2009 - 10:25am CindyGHolman Says:

    Scary!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!! Sad too!
  • October 29, 2009 - 10:00am saved by grace Says:

    Dear Ann Snow, Yes, I am a "meat sack", but a meat sack with a soul and place to go.
  • October 29, 2009 - 9:44am meme Says:

    What Vadge should have said was, "No. I'm not anyone's "god." I'm just a very very very rich woman who realized she has way too much money and a needs a tax write-off." You know Vadge is THRILLED to be their god.
  • October 29, 2009 - 9:23am Peter Says:

    You are judging someone after reading a report on a website. Were you there to witness what went on? No. Do you know for sure what her reaction was? No. But you still feel the need to add your negative slant to the story! Even though what you're mad about might have never taken place. Stop all negativity people! It says more about you than anyone else.
  • October 29, 2009 - 8:59am lobri Says:

    I simply can't help but be a little disturbed by this. Madonna as 'God'. It's pretty scary.
  • October 29, 2009 - 8:47am ignorance is bliss Says:

    This is seriously the most ignorant story Ive ever read in my life. Madonna is now being calle God? this woman isnt an example for ANYONE,and its sad that these children look at her as such. THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD, and it is an abomination that one should ever question that. It is a shame what our society has come to
  • October 29, 2009 - 7:50am Ann Snow Says:

    If she was a lesbian she's be pretty close to god for me! hehe. All you religious freaks, piss off. You are nothing but meat sacks waiting to die and there is nothing there waiting for you. you better have fun now while you can, prudes!
  • October 29, 2009 - 4:07am Kim Says:

    Madonna is doing A LOT of good in that country, a great, great deal. Much more than small-minded provincials who sit in judgment of people on the internet. That's for sure.
  • October 29, 2009 - 4:00am d Says:

    that's wrong, she's not god to say it's blasphemy,poor child poor country
  • October 29, 2009 - 1:16am anonymous Says:

    Madonna is their God?? No wonder Malawi is in the state that it is.
  • October 29, 2009 - 12:39am Malia Says:

    I don't mean correct the child in a rude, teacher-ish way...but she should/could have just smiled and have the translator say, "that is so sweet of you but there is only one God" or "I strive to do as much good as I can in His image" blah, blah, blah. Something akin to that would have been more appropriate than basically letting this young child continue thinking she is actually a god in his/her eyes. She is an egomaniac. Period. Having said that, charity is charity regardless of someone's selfish reasons for giving (and advertising the giving) like another high-profile wackjob I could mention but shall remain nameless for this evening at least.
  • October 28, 2009 - 11:42pm macross5 Says:

    funny how naysayers always nit pick anything madonna does. to correct the child wouldn't be the appropriate place to do so. despite what you may think about her, at least she ACTIVELY does something instead of just sending a donation or making a commercial about the plight. let's face it: what she is doing is good. i would like anyone who judges her to do something charitable and more effective if you think you can. but my hunch is, i don't think you can... what i've noticed is that most haters are all talk.
  • October 28, 2009 - 11:30pm Mackintosh Says:

    There is only one true God. And the life Madonna has lived is a disgrace to all mankind.

1 - 20 of 24 | Next »