THE father of the baby Madonna took from Malawi for adoption claimed yesterday that he was misled when he agreed to give up his son.

Key quote "Our understanding was that they would educate and take care of our son just as they were doing at the orphanage" - Yohane Banda, father of David Banda
Story in full THE father of the baby Madonna took from Malawi for adoption claimed yesterday that he was misled when he agreed to give up his son.
Yohane Banda, the biological parent of 13-month-old David Banda, said he never intended his son to be adopted by Madonna, only for her to raise the child on his behalf and then return him when he grew up.
The announced adoption by Madonna and her British filmmaker husband Guy Ritchie has fuelled an international debate about the ethics of overseas adoption by wealthy couples.

Some human rights campaigners have said such adoptions cause tension in impoverished countries and trauma for uprooted babies.
The boy is currently in the temporary custody of Madonna in London.
Speaking yesterday, Mr Banda, said that because he could not read, he had no idea of the significance of the adoption papers.

He added that the authorities did not make it clear to him that he was giving up his only son "for good" when he signed adoption papers earlier this month.
This paved the way for a Malawian judge to grant the celebrity couple a "temporary order", enabling them to take the baby away.
"Our understanding was that they would educate and take care of our son just as they were doing at the orphanage," said the 32-year-old peasant farmer who ekes out a living growing onions and tomatoes.

Mr Banda said the director of Child Welfare Services, Penston Kilembe, and the retired pastor, who runs the Home of Hope orphanage where David spent most of his life, had not told him that "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 not have consented because I see no reason why I should give away my son," he said.
Mr Kilembe refused to comment yesterday, saying he would only talk from his office today.

Mr Banda's claims were backed by his cousin, Wiseman Zimba.
"Our understanding as a family is that David is still part and parcel of our clan," said Mr Zimba. "After the good woman nurtures and educates him, he will return back.

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Mr Banda left the child with the orphanage after his wife died following childbirth. He lost two other children in infancy to malaria.
The , which comprises 67 human rights groups, has filed a court case to challenge the adoption, saying that laws concerning the residency of the prospective parents were flouted and that it may set a precedent for human trafficking.

However, the family have made it clear that they do not want David to return to the orphanage. "We are still thankful Madonna has rescued him from poverty and disease; we pray for the good Lord to keep blessing her for her benevolence," said Banda.