ADOPTING a Malawian baby has put Madonna in the spotlight even more than usual during the past couple of weeks. But what I want to know is why she chose to adopt a child from Africa and not a child from her country of origin, because there are lots of chi

ADOPTING a Malawian baby has put Madonna in the spotlight even more than usual during the past couple of weeks.

But what I want to know is why she chose to adopt a child from Africa and not a child from her country of origin, because there are lots of children in the UK and the USA who need homes.

It's great what they are doing, but it seems that adopting a disadvantaged child from Africa or Asia has become the latest trend - Angelina Jolie has adopted two children - one from Cambodia and one from Ethiopia, Meg Ryan adopted a child from China, and Ewan McGregor adopted a Mongolian girl.

It makes you question whether they are doing it for the right reasons.

Are they doing it to make a statement, or is it something they genuinely want to do?

The adoption process is another matter.

It normally takes a British couple months, if not years, to adopt a child because of the lengthy process they have to go through, but celebrities seem to have been able to jump the queue because of their status.

But at the end of the day we're all human.

Money and power should not even come into it - the final decision should depend on whether the person can provide a loving and secure upbringing for the child.

- National Adoption Week which encourages people from all walks of life to find out about adopting a child, runs from November 6-12.

For more information visit: www.nationaladoptionweek.org.uk