Madonna sets sights on Lesotho for next adoption

Jun 7, 2009, 11:00 GMT

More African adoptions? US Singer Madonna and son David attend the Manhattan Polo Classic on Governors Island in New York USA, 30, May 2009. The Manhattan Polo Classic proceeds will benefit Prince Harry\'s Charity American Friends of Sentebale. EPA/PETER FOLEY

Madonna wants to adopt a child from Lesotho.

The 50-year-old singer - who is in the process of appealing a court ruling that she cannot adopt four-year-old Mercy James from Malawai - is said to be considering giving a child from the impoverished African kingdom a home as she is desperate to become a mother again.

A source explained to Britain's Daily Mail newspaper: "Madonna is not a patient person. She has said she won't give up on Mercy but if she's blocked from adopting her legally then she will think about trying to adopt another baby. She has already started looking into other African countries.

"If a miracle happens and she gets to adopt Mercy, I see no reason why she wouldn't go ahead and adopt another child from a different African country as well.

'She has done some research on Lesotho and because it's a place that is ravaged by AIDS and has a high number of orphans, it could be the perfect second choice."

However, it has also been suggested the '4 Minutes' singer has already spoken to officials at a Nigerian orphanage about adopting a child.

The star is said to be keen to involve her model boyfriend Jesus Luz, 22, in the bid, claiming he would be the child's father figure.

A source said: "Madonna thinks her attempt to adopt Mercy failed because her relationship with Jesus made her look like she was going through some midlife crisis. She's determined not to make the same mistakes and wants Jesus involved from the off.

"She's considering visiting an orphanage in Nigeria, perhaps with Jesus, as soon as possible."

Earlier this year, it was ruled Madonna - who already has biological children Lourdes, 12, and eight-year-old Rocco, as well as adopted three-year-old son David Bana from Malawi - could not take home Mercy as she had not lived in Malawi for the 18 months required under adoption laws.

Although she has appealed the decision, it has been claimed she already knows she will not be successful.

A source said: "Madonna's team have also made several visits to Blantyre, where the Supreme Court is. The word here is that Madonna has been told the adoption is not going to happen."