Madonna on return trip to Malawi

Madonna is due to arrive in Malawi, the African country where her adopted son David Banda was born.

The singer is said to be taking David with her to see his natural father.

She says the main purpose of her trip is to see the work of a charity she supports, and denies reports that she plans to adopt a second African child.

The 48-year-old London-based American pop star sparked a furore when she adopted one-year-old David from an orphanage last year.

She was accused by adoption groups of using her celebrity status to bypass laws about foreigners adopting from Malawi - allegations she strenuously denied.

Speaking before Madonna set off for Malawi, her spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg said: "She is overseeing the building of a children's healthcare centre. She is absolutely not adopting another baby."

David is living with Madonna and her family in London, after the pop star was granted an interim custody order.

Under the court order, David can live with the singer for 18 months, during which time his progress will be reviewed by Malawi officials.

A High Court ruling allows a coalition of human rights groups to monitor the adoption.

'Saving a life'

The singer helped set up the Raising Malawi charity, which aims to provide accommodation, food, education and other support to orphans in the country.

Last year, she said she would donate $3m (£1.5m) to the country via the organisation.

In January, she told US talk show host David Letterman she was "saving a life" by taking the child to the UK.

Last November, the 48-year-old told the BBC's Newsnight programme she would consider adopting another child from abroad.

"I wouldn't rule it out... but I would like to experience David for a while and see how it works out," she said.

As well as her adopted son, Madonna has a 10-year-old daughter, Lourdes, and a six-year-old son, Rocco. She is married to British film director Guy Ritchie.

MADONNA BRINGS HOPE TO AFRICA

MADONNA will secure her legacy in Malawi by opening her orphan care centre early this week.

The Material Girl, who adopted her son David Banda from the tiny east African country, has so far spent £61,000 on the centre.

It’s estimated that nearly one million children have been orphaned by Aids in Malawi. Madonna’s charity, Raising Malawi, has spent millions of pounds building and improving facilities to try to help them.

Construction started last October on the collection of buildings that will make up the Consol Homes Raising Malawi Orphan Care Centre at Namitete near Lilongwe, the ­capital. Madonna has pledged £86,000 over the next five years to keep it going.

The buildings, red brick, with green painted metal roofs, will help ­thousands of the neediest children ­living around Lilongwe.

The centre will be managed by Consol Homes, which is a non-profit, community-based organisation currently helping around 1,400 children.

Yasinta Chapomba, 45, programme officer for orphans and vulnerable ­children with Consol Homes in Lilongwe, said: “I am very excited about the opening.

“We have received so much money and help from Madonna and Raising Malawi and we are very grateful.”

Teacher Ruth Maulana, 23, who has started working for the new care ­centre, said: “I helped to set up the pre-school programme for the children.

“I expect to see at least 110 children aged under-six most days.”