United States pop star Madonna was recently hailed as ‘a symbol of motherly spirit’ by Malawi President Peter Mutharika after the American singer opened a children’s hospital, named after her adopted daughter ‘Mercy James’
Located in Blantyre, the second largest city of the nation, The Mercy James Institute of Paediatric Surgery and Intensive Care is the first such facility built in the country by Madonna’s charity ‘Raising Malawi.’
“We will ensure that not only will it be a world-class children’s hospital, but also a superior centre of learning. This is as much about healing as it is about empowerment,” Madonna said at the hospital’s official opening.
Commenting on the slow pace of reform in Malawi, she said, “It was not an easy battle,” said Madonna as her voice cracked with emotion as she stood near her daughter.
“The judge refused me because I was recently divorced. We hired lawyers, went to the Supreme Court. But I never gave up, I never backed down,” added the 58-year-old, who previously stirred anger among some Malawians as they felt the government allowed her to skirt laws that ban non-residents from adopting.
“I fought for Mercy and won. We fought for this hospital and won. Love conquers all.”
Source Reuters
